Kutztown University Women's Basketball Announces 2019-2020 Roster, Picked to Win PSAC East in Preseason Poll

The defending co-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division champion Kutztown University women's basketball team is the favorite to repeat in 2019-20, as KU was voted first in the PSAC East Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference office Thursday morning. KU had seven-of-nine first place votes. KU will have 14 players on its 2019-20 roster.

The Golden Bears finished their historic 2018-19 season at 19-12 overall and 14-6 in the PSAC, winning a share of the PSAC East title, the program's first since 1996. They hosted the PSAC final four for the first time in program history and advanced to its first ever PSAC Championship game.

Kutztown will be a deep and experienced team this season, and returns three starters, including All-PSAC East First Teamer Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) and Second Teamer Karen Lapkiewicz (Southampton, Pa./Saint Basil Academy). Derr scored 526 total points, which ranks second all-time in program history for points in a season, and made a school-record 89 three-pointers last season. Lapkiewicz finished with career-highs of 11.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg in 29.5 minutes per game. Brianna Tarabocchia (Woodcliff Lake, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) is the third starter back, averaging 8.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 24.1 minutes per game.

Gabbi Wright (Elkins Park, Pa./Cheltenham) and Zoe Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) both played in all 31 games last year and could see more time starting this year. Alexis Smith (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) played in 27 games in 2018-19 and provides great outside shooting for KU.

KU's 253 made 3-pointers were the most in a season. Head coach Janet Malouf, in her 26th season, holds a 372-323 overall record, fourth in PSAC history in career wins.

PSAC co-champion Bloomsburg was picked second with two first place votes, followed by Shippensburg in third and West Chester and Millersville tied for fourth.

KU begins its season with exhibitions at Division-I Penn State and Iona Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, respectively. The regular season begins Nov. 8-9 with the PSAC/CIAA Conference Challenge at Lincoln University, facing off with the host Lions that Friday and St. Augustine's Saturday. PSAC play then begins Saturday, Nov. 23, at Clarion. Kutztown has its home-opener the following Saturday, Nov. 30, against Penn State Lehigh Valley at 1 p.m.

Full Poll Results

Women's East

1) Kutztown (7)

2) Bloomsburg (2)

3) Shippensburg

T4) West Chester

T4) Millersville

6) East Stroudsburg

7) Lock Haven

8) Shepherd

9) Mansfield

Women's West

1) IUP (5)

2) Cal U (2)

3) Edinboro (1)

4) Pitt-Johnstown

5) Seton Hill (1)

6) Gannon

7) Slippery Rock

8) Mercyhurst

9) Clarion

To view these students click here: https://kutztown.meritpages.com/achievements/Kutztown-University-Women-s-Basketball-Announces-2019-2020-Roster-Picked-to-Win-PSAC-East-in-Preseason-Poll/113957