BEAVER TOWNSHIP — A No. 1 ranking in the Horizon League’s preseason basketball poll doesn’t guarantee head coach John Barnes and his Youngstown State women’s team a second straight conference crown.

After going 23-7 – they went 17-4 in conference play and finished as co-champions with IUPUI – a year ago, they have, however, finally earned respect from the voters and coaches from around the league.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center, Barnes said while it is nice being recognized as one of the top teams going into season, throw caution to the wind because multiple teams can still win the league this year.

“I have said it many times, preseason polls don’t mean a whole lot. I am thankful, though, that the league’s head coaches have respect for us or should I say, a lot more respect than they ever have,” Barnes noted. “I am proud of the team and staff for working hard to win that respect. Again, it does not mean anything as to where you are going to finish but you have definitely gained respect from the league, which is nice.

“To be picked seventh in the preseason last year and win a part of the championship is really special. Everyone who watches our program and has watched Chelsea Olson over the years, for her to be able to top off her senior year with a Horizon League title is definitely special. I was happy for the staff, proud of the team and everyone around YSU from executive director of athletics, Ron Strollo, to administration, to the trainers and sports information staff, it was a total team effort and we needed everybody with us to win that championship a season ago.”

Barnes noted multiple teams could walk off with the conference crown this year.

“I think Green Bay will be really good while Cleveland State, Northern Kentucky and Milwaukee are talented so this will be a really tough year,” he added. “There is a ton of talent as well. IUPUI, their tradition alone, has some good players returning so there are a lot of teams going to vie for the championship this year.”

The transfer portal has both given and taketh away from teams with the Penguins striking gold as they built their roster a season ago.

“Honestly, that first year we felt like it hurt us pretty bad by losing the Horizon League ‘Freshman of the Year,’ an all-conference player and another long-term starter,” Barnes stated. “However, that was the same year we picked up Lilly Ritz, Paige Shy, Megan Callahan, Lindsey Mack and Lindsay Lenard so several excellent players from the portal helped us win a championship.

“Adding two starters this year from Division I teams in Dena Jarrells [UT-Chattanooga] and Shay-Lee Kirby [Austin Peay State], and a 6′ 5′ center from the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC makes it a pretty good year for us with the transfer portal.”

Dotting Barnes’ roster this season are six seniors (Mady Aulbach, Jarrells, Kirby, Saunders, Shy and Jen Wendler), two, fifth-year players in Mack and Ritz and a sixth-year player in Callahan, who started 22 of the 30 games in which she played a season ago after transferring from league foe, Robert Morris.

The two juniors are Malia Magestro and Lenard, lone sophomore is returnee Haley Thierry with redshirt frosh Tenleigh Phelps and true freshman Mackenzie Hurd rounding out the roster.

The portal has changed YSU and other programs’ recruiting approach.

“The way we recruit has definitely changed,” Barnes said. “In our minds now, if we are going to take freshmen then those players had better be as good as starters from other Division I teams so they must be that good in order for us to take a chance on them..”

The offseason continues to be important for both staff and team in preparation of the season.

“In terms of the summer, the last two off-seasons have been similar as we integrate the newcomers with returnees while having them understand everything that we are trying to do both offensively, defensively and all that other stuff,” he explained.

YSU opens their 48th intercollegiate season on November 7 when they play host to the Wofford Terriers at Beeghly Center.

The next 13 days are vital as Barnes’ team heals in preparation of their lidlifter.

“The pre-season has actually been a little tough,” he stated. “We’ve had several injuries that have kept us from practicing like we had hoped but the good thing is those injuries aren’t season-ending so we are just trying to get healthy. For the most part, the team has been working really hard and trying to get ready for the season.

“They are excited to get going and with two scrimmages, one against an A-10 team and the other versus a MAC squad, it will help us to evaluate where we are as we get ready for that first game.”

Next week, Trevor Parks, YSU sports information director will serve as guest speaker.