Senior forward Lauren Manis of the Holy Cross women's basketball team has been named the Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year, the league announced on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Manis, a three-time All-Patriot League selection, ranked second in the Patriot League in scoring (16.8 points per game) and rebounding (11.1 per game) a season ago. In total, Manis recorded 344 rebounds in 2018-19, tied for second in single-season program history. She posted 20 double-doubles, third-most in single-season program history and 11^th in Division I, en route to her second consecutive All-Patriot League first team honor. She currently ranks fourth in program history with 844 career rebounds and 12^th with 1,461 career points.

Joining Manis on the preseason all-league team are Bucknell senior forward Ellie Mack, Colgate senior guard Rachel Thompson, Lafayette junior forward Natalie Kucowski and Lehigh senior guard Camryn Buhr.

The Crusaders additionally received five first-place votes as they were projected to finish in second place in the Patriot League this season. Holy Cross finished with 138 points, just two points behind first-place Lehigh. Reigning conference champion Bucknell was picked to finish third with 132 points and four first-place votes in a tight pack at the top.

Holy Cross finished in fifth place in the Patriot League in 2018-19, posting a 9-9 mark in conference play and advancing to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2013-14. The Crusaders' season gets underway with a road game at Illinois on Nov. 9, followed by the team's home opener vs. Boston College on Nov. 13.

Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Lehigh – 140 (9 first-place votes)
Holy Cross – 138 (5 first-place votes)
Bucknell – 132 (4 first-place votes)
Boston University – 113
American – 103 (2 first-place votes)
Colgate – 78
Loyola Maryland – 74
Navy – 44
Lafayette – 42
Army West Point – 36