[Women's Basketball] Women's Basketball Falcons picked fourth and fifth in KCAC Preseason Polls

WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Women's Basketball Falcons were tabbed fourth in the KCAC Preseason Media poll and fifth in the Coach's poll, the league office announced following today's (Oct. 11) virtual KCAC Media Day.

The Sterling College Lady Warriors, the defending KCAC regular season and tournament champions, were favored to repeat in both polls.

In the media poll, Sterling got 17 first-place votes, with second-place Tabor College receiving the remaining first-place tally.

However, in the coaches' poll, Sterling garnered 10 first-place nods, while Tabor again came in second with one first-place vote and Bethany College was chosen third and collected two first-place votes.

Kansas Wesleyan University was picked third in the media poll, but fourth in the coaches' poll, while Bethany rounded out the top five behind Friends in the media survey.

Under fourth-year head coach Dean Jaderston, the Falcons return two starters from last season's squad that went 22-10 overall and finished fourth in the KCAC, their best conference showing since winning the league in 2017-18.

Leading the charge will be All-KCAC third-team selection and All-Freshman performer Taylor Jackson (SO/Houston, Texas). Jackson set single-season modern-era records last season in rebounds (337) and blocks (96) while also swatting a single-game record nine blocks vs. Bethany College (11/20/21).

Senior Gracie Sammons (SR/Aubrey, Texas), the team's top returning three-point shooter, also returns after hitting 33.7 percent (34-101) from beyond the arc in the 2021-22 campaign.

The Falcons will open the 2022-23 season at home on Oct. 31 vs. Barclay College for another edition of "The Quaker Classic".

Also on the slate is a non-conference matchup vs. perennial NAIA national power Oklahoma City University on Nov. 12 inside the Garvey Center.

The KCAC opener is also at home on Nov. 16 vs. Bethel College.