INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Horizon League released its 2019-20 Preseason Teams and Preseason Poll Thursday afternoon, with the Cleveland State duo of Mariah Miller and Savanna Crockett earning a spot on the Horizon League Preseason Second Team.
This marks just the fourth time that two Vikings have earned Preseason honors over the last 17 seasons, while Miller and Crockett are the first Vikings to earn the accolade under head coach Chris Kielsmeier.
MARIAH MILLER | SR | GUARD
Miller picks up preseason honors for the first time in her career after leading the Vikings in scoring (15.5 ppg) and ranking second on the team in rebounding (7.9 rpg) as a junior last year.
Miller finished last season ranked second among league players in scoring and fifth in rebounding, recording seven double-doubles throughout the year. For her efforts, Miller was named to the #HLWBB First Team, becoming the 13th Viking to earn the accolade.
SAVANNA CROCKETT | SO | FORWARD
Crockett returns for her sophomore campaign as the reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Year, after averaging 11.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game as a rookie.
As a freshman, Crockett recorded 11 double-doubles to lead the Horizon League, while she set a CSU Freshman Class Record with 46 total blocked shots on the year.
Last year, Crockett became just the third Viking all-time to be named the #HLWBB Freshman of the Year.
CLEVELAND STATE VIKINGS
In the team poll, the Vikings were selected to finish seventh, picking up 37 points in this year's poll. In addition to Miller and Crockett, the Vikings return six letterwinners from last season's squad, including the trio of Jade Ely (Sr., G), Mariah White (Jr., G) and JaMiya Braxton (So., G) who all have experience in the starting lineup.
The Vikings will be under the direction of second-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who owns a career record of 426-116. In his first season with the Vikings, Kielsmeier posted a 10-20 overall record, including a 7-11 mark in Horizon League play.
Both the Preseason Poll and Preseason All-League teams were voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.
2019-20 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
T1. Green Bay – 91 (4)
T1. Wright State – 91 (4)
3. IUPUI – 85 (2)
4. Youngstown State – 71
5. Milwaukee – 57
6. Northern Kentucky – 51
7. Cleveland State – 37
8. Oakland – 31
9. Detroit Mercy – 19
10. UIC – 17
2019-20 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON FIRST TEAM
Frankie Wurtz, Green Bay
Macee Williams, IUPUI (Preseason Player of the Year)
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee
Michal Miller, Wright State
Mary Dunn, Youngstown State
2019-20 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON SECOND TEAM
Savanna Crockett, Cleveland State
Mariah Miller, Cleveland State
Molly Glick, Northern Kentucky
Angel Baker, Wright State
Chelsea Olson, Youngstown State
