The Youngstown State women's basketball team is predicted to finish third in the Horizon League in 2023-24 based a preseason poll of the conference's 11 head coaches. The League office officially announced the poll results and the preseason all-league teams on Wednesday.

In addition to YSU being ranked third in the preseason poll, senior guard Malia Magestro was voted to the Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team as the Penguins' top returning scorer from last year's squad that finished 19-11 overall and tied for third in the conference standings.

Green Bay is the unanimous preseason favorite, receiving all 11 first-place votes and 121 total points after winning the Horizon League's regular-season title in 2022-23. Cleveland State, last season's tournament champion, was picked second with 107 points. YSU received 95 points to be slotted third, and Purdue Fort Wayne was close behind with 90 points.

There was a big gap in the voting after the top four as Northern Kentucky was fifth with 63 points. Following the Norse in another close group were Milwaukee (59), Wright State (54), Oakland (53) and IUPUI (49). Detroit Mercy was picked to finish 10th (21), and RMU was slotted 11th (14),.

Magestro, a native of Hermitage, Pa., averaged 10.1 points per game while adding career highs of 2.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in 2022-23. She ranked seventh in the conference with 1.8 3-pointers per game, and she ranked 22nd in the circuit in scoring. Magestro is one of eight players on YSU's veteran roster who is entering the season with at least three years of Division I experience.

Cleveland State guard Destiny Leo was picked to repeat as the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year. Bailey Butler (Green Bay), Jazmyn Turner (IUPUI), Brooke Quarles-Daniels (Oakland) and Amellia Bromenschenkel (Purdue Fort Wayne) joined her on the Preseason All-League First Team. In addition to Magestro, Irene Murua (Detroit Mercy), Kendall Nead (Milwaukee), Kailee Davis (Northern Kentucky) and Shayla Sellers (Purdue Fort Wayne) were named to the Preseason All-League Second Team.

Youngstown State will begin the 2023-24 season three weeks from today by hosting Xavier at Beeghly Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8. For information on season, group or individual game tickets, call (330) 941-1978.