LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Oct. 27) – The California (PA) women's basketball team was selected as the favorite in the preseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West poll, which was announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon.

The Vulcans finished last season with a 25-6 overall record and made a seventh-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Cal placed first in the PSAC West standings with a 17-4 mark in divisional play and advanced to the PSAC Championship for the first time since 2017. The Vulcans return six players from last year, including the PSAC West Athlete of the Year.

Cal received six first-place votes to rank as the preseason favorite for the first time since 2016. Defending-league champion Gannon earned the remaining three first-place votes and finished second in the poll. Edinboro was slotted third and IUP was picked fourth following a seventh-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Seton Hill and Pitt-Johnstown were positioned fifth and sixth, respectively, while Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock and Clarion rounded out the Western Division.

In the PSAC East, Kutztown was the overwhelming preseason favorite with eight first-place votes after setting the school record for wins last year. Shippensburg was slotted second in the poll and was followed by Bloomsburg and West Chester at third and fourth, respectively. Lock Haven received the remaining first-place vote and was picked fifth. Millersville and Mansfield ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, followed by East Stroudsburg and Shepherd, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year.

The Vulcans open the campaign in two weeks when they face West Liberty and defending-Mountain East Conference (MEC) Champion Charleston (W.Va.) on Nov. 11-12 in Charleston, West Virginia.