ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – For the first time in program history, the UCF women’s basketball team received a vote in the USA Today/WBCA Preseason Top 25.
The Knights earned a vote in the WBCA/USA Today Top 25 for the first time in program history after closing the regular season with a three-game win streak and a victory over a Houston squad that had picked up three votes in the Feb. 20 poll. UCF received a vote in three consecutive polls in 2018 (Feb. 27, March 6, March 12).
In her two seasons at the helm, head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson has led the Knights to back-to-back 20-win campaigns and guided the Black and Gold to a third place finish in the league standings in 2017-18.
With 22 victories last season, UCF tied its most wins in a season as a Division I program. The last time the Knights reached the mark came in the 2010-11 campaign.
In October, UCF was slated to finish fourth in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll, matching its best preseason selection for the second straight year.
Three of UCF’s opponents in The American are ranked or received votes in the preseason polls. UConn will begin the season ranked second in both the AP and USA Today poll, while South Florida is tied for 21st in the USA Today poll and No. 22 in the AP poll. Houston received votes in the USA Today preseason poll.
Four of UCF’s non-conference opponents received votes in at least one of the preseason polls. Central Michigan and Duquesne are listed in the receiving votes category in both polls, while the USA Today poll also features Quinnipiac and Villanova.
Last season, the Black and Gold posted a 12-4 mark in The American, falling only to league champion UConn and conference runner-up USF.
UCF returns all-freshman selection Masseny Kaba, Nyala Shuler, who started all 33 games for the Black and Gold last season, and Kay Kay Wright, the Knights' second-leading scorer in 2017-18.
The Knights also regain Tolulope Omokore and Fifi Ndour, both of whom missed last season due to injuries. In addition to a trio of newcomers, Anna Kelly and Sianni Martin will be eligible for UCF after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
The Knights open the 2018-19 season at Pittsburgh on Nov. 7.
TICKETS FOR 2018-19
The UCF women's basketball team is set for its third season under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. Purchase season tickets by clicking here or calling (407) 823-1000.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.
