LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced their preseason women's basketball coaches poll on Thursday. The Golden Eagle women's basketball team was predicted to finish ninth in the PSAC West in 2023-24.
 
Clarion will be under the direction of a new head coach this season, as Danielle Fleming takes over the reins of the program. Fleming spent the previous three seasons as the head coach at Columbia International, where she led the program to NCCAA South Region Championships as well as three NCCAA national tournament appearances.
 
The Golden Eagles will largely consist of new faces in 2023-24, with 10 incoming players – including six transfers and four incoming freshmen – joining the ranks this year. Among the returning players with the most experience is Abby Gatesman, who has 55 games played and 23 starts in the Blue & Gold.

Among the incoming transfers on this year's squad include graduate student Sadre'a Rougeau (Goshen), senior Tearra Cook (Columbia International), junior DayLynn Thornton (Vincennes) and sophomore JayLynn Twitty (Columbia International), Malayziah Etheredge (Coker) and Hannah Wilkerson (Columbia International).
 
Clarion opens the season with a pair of games in Erie against Notre Dame College (Nov. 10) and Glenville State (Nov. 11). The home opener is slated for November 15 against Roberts Wesleyan.
  
Eastern Division (Number of first-place votes)
 
1. West Chester (8)
2. Kutztown (1)
3. Shippensburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. East Stroudsburg
6. Lock Haven
7. Millersville
8. Mansfield
9. Shepherd
 
 
Western Division (Number of first-place votes)
 
1. California (5)
2. Gannon (2)
3. IUP (1)
4. Edinboro
5. Pitt-Johnstown (1)
6. Seton Hill
7. Mercyhurst
8. Slippery Rock
9. Clarion