INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Horizon League released its 2018-19 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll Thursday afternoon, with Cleveland State tabbed to finish eighth in the competitive 10-team league.

COMPLETE HORIZON LEAGUE RELEASE

The #HLWBB Preseason Poll is voted on by the league's 10 head coaches, women's basketball sports information directors from all 10 schools, and a media member from each institution.

2018-19 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
1.Green Bay (28) – 286
2.IUPUI – 245
3.Wright State – 226
4.Youngstown State (1) – 184
5.Milwaukee – 165
6.Northern Kentucky – 152
7.Oakland – 117
8.Cleveland State – 99
9.Detroit Mercy – 65
10.UIC – 56

The Vikings return six letterwinners from last year's squad, including the senior duo of Rachel Slaney and Mariana Bautista. This duo is joined by all-league honoree Jade Ely, Mariah Miller, Mariah White, and Anyia Pride to form the veteran core for the upcoming season.

This group will be joined by five true freshmen – Shyla Latone, Savanna Crockett, Isabella Geraci, JaMiya Braxton, and Isabelle Gradwell – along with redshirt freshman Nadia Dumas and sophomore transfer Dana DeGraffenreid.

2018-19 CLEVELAND STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROSTER 

The Vikings will be under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who comes to Cleveland State with nearly 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. During his tenure, Kielsmeier has posted a 416-116 career record, and captured a Division III national championship with Howard Payne University.

2018-19 CLEVELAND STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Following an exhibition against Ursuline on Thursday, November 1, Kielsmeier and the Vikings will begin the 2018-19 campaign by hosting Salem University on Tuesday, November 6 in the Wolstein Center.