ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Samford sophomore guard Masyn Marchbanks was named to the preseason All-SoCon team when the Southern Conference released its preseason women's basketball awards at the league's annual preseason Media Day Wednesday at Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville.
 
As a freshman in 2022-23, Marchbanks ranked third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.7 points per game. She also ranked second on the squad in assists with 82 on the season. She scored in double figures 12 times, including a career-high 22 points against both Mercer and Furman.
 
Rachael Rose from Wofford was named the league's preseason Player of the Year. Joining Marchbanks and Rose on the preseason All-SoCon team are Enjulina Gonzalez (Mercer), Kendall Folley (ETSU), Raven Thompson (Chattanooga), Tate Walters (Furman), Naveah Brown (ETSU), Jada Guinn (Chattanooga), Isys Grady (UNCG) and Mya Love (Western Carolina).
 
The league also released its preseason polls from the coaches and media. The media picked Samford to finish fifth in the league, while the coaches tabbed the Bulldogs seventh. The media picked Chattanooga to win the league, followed by ETSU, Wofford, Mercer, Samford, UNC Greensboro, Furman and Western Carolina. The coaches tabbed ETSU to win the league, followed by Chattanooga, Mercer, Wofford, Furman, UNC Greensboro, Samford and Western Carolina.
 
Samford will open the 2023-24 season by hosting Auburn-Montgomery on Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. in the Pete Hanna Center. The game will be Samford's Education Day and admission to the contest is FREE.
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
POY - Rachael Rose, Wofford
Enjulina Gonzalez, Mercer
Kendall Folley, ETSU
Raven Thompson, Chattanooga
Tate Walters, Furman
Navaeh Brown, ETSU
Masyn Marchbanks, Samford
Jada Guinn, Chattanooga
Isys Grady, UNCG
Mya Love, Western Carolina
 
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford women's basketball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordWomensBasketball (Facebook), @SamfordWBB (Instagram) and @SamfordWBB (Twitter).