Full WBCA Poll Release (PDF)
D3Hoops.com Poll Release
HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College women's basketball team has jumped into the national rankings, securing a tie for the 25th spot in the latest WBCA/NCAA Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll. Haverford (20-3, 17-1 CC) received a total of 13 voting points in the poll, decided by a committee of nine head coaches at Division III institutions.
In addition to the national ranking in the coaches poll, Haverford is also listed first among teams receiving votes in the D3Hoops.com poll. The D3hoops.com Top 25 is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors, and media members from across the nation. Haverford received a total of 36 points in that weekly ranking, just a single voting point behind 25th-ranked John Carroll. Haverford will now look to see its name included in Wednesday's second Mid-Atlantic Regional Rankings, as those rankings ultimately serve as vital criteria for the selection of at-large bids to the NCAA tournament.
The Fords sprinted to a 2-0 week with wins over Muhlenberg and McDaniel dotting the slate. Haverford ran its winning streak to 10 consecutive contests, the longest overall win streak in program history. In the process, the Fords secured a 20-win season for the third consecutive year.
Saturday's triumph over the Green Terror, combined with a Gettysburg loss to Washington College, has vaulted the Fords into sole possession of first place in the Centennial Conference. Haverford has clinched a first-round bye in the CC tournament and is assured of at least a first-round bye with a date in the semifinals set for Friday, February 28. Another 2-0 week for the Fords can assure that the Centennial Conference tournament will be held at Gooding Arena for the second time in four seasons.
Haverford's vaunted defense has helped set the tone for the standout season, as the Fords have limited opponents to the fourth-fewest points of any team in Division III this season (46.3). The Haverford field-goal percentage defense is also ninth in the nation (31.4), while Haverford has surrendered the second-fewest personal fouls per game (10.8). Offensively, Anna-Sophia Capizzi secured a fourth Centennial Player of the Week award on Tuesday after keying the 2-0 week. Capizzi currently tops the Centennial Conference in points per game (19.7) and three-point percentage (42.4). She is also in the top five in the conference in field goal percentage (48.7) and free-throw percentage (77.5).
The first-place Fords now return to action tomorrow, hosting rival Swarthmore at Gooding '84 Arena. Tip-off time is slated for 6 p.m, with the men's contest against the No. 1 Garnet to follow at approximately 8 p.m.