BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State was picked to finish fourth and placed three players on the preseason All-SWAC teams on a vote of the league's head coaches and communication professionals, announced by the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) office on Friday afternoon.
 
The Lady Hornets picked up 95 total votes in the preseason poll, finishing just behind Grambling State in third with 99 total votes including a pair of first-place votes. Southern was picked to finish second with 106 votes (one first-place vote), and defending conference champion Jackson State was picked to win the league with 137 total votes including nine first-place votes.
 
Alabama State placed three players on the preseason teams including a pair of first-team selections led by senior forward Kassandra Schoen. The senior led the team with seven goals and 16 points last season, while also adding a pair of assists. During her career, Schoen has scored 12 goals. Last season, she scored goals in five different games, including recording a hat trick against Prairie View A&M in conference play.
 
She was joined on the first team by sophomore midfielder Elli Higashi who finished her freshman season with a pair of goals and four assists, finishing third on the team in scoring. Both of her goals came against UAPB in conference action last season, helping her second-team honors at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
 
The duo was joined by sophomore midfielder Katelyn Walerczyk on the second team, finishing last season with a pair of goals and four total points. She scored her goals against South Carolina State and in conference action against Prairie View A&M.
 
Alabama State opens play this weekend in exhibition action against Mobile in Pensacola (Fla.) at the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park. Kick is set for 3 pm.
 
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