ROANOKE

The Maroons have not been to the NCAA Division III tournament since 2000. But with three transfers joining three returning starters, that drought could end this season.

Roanoke, which tied for the ODAC regular-season title last season, has been picked to finish first in the league in the preseason coaches poll.

Cave Spring graduate Caitlyn Long (12 ppg), Jordan Gholson (11 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and Jaleesa Osborne (10.1 ppg) are back from a team that went 23-4, 17-3 last season.

Added to the mix are former Lord Botetourt standout Nicci Moats, who began her college career at mighty Tennessee; Kendra Porter, who was kicked off Radford University's team in January; and Kylie Lucas, who averaged 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds at Lynchburg last season.

"This is like Christmas for me," coach Susan Dunagan said of getting the transfers.

Dunagan feared the returning players would not react well to transfers deserving of playing time. But she said the team has jelled better than she anticipated.

"All the kids are working really hard to make it work," she said.

The 6-foot-2 Moats, who hasn't played in a game since December 2006, will start at center. Gholson will be at power forward, with Lucas also seeing action inside.

Long, an All-ODAC first-team pick, and Osborne (All-ODAC second team) will see action on the perimeter, as will Porter and Rebecca Bays (William Byrd).

"People are going to be closing in on us and trying to clamp down the middle, so our guards have got to come through from the outside," said Dunagan, whose team opens at St. Mary's (Md.) on Friday.

RADFORD

The Highlanders have lost All-Big South point guard Taleia Moton (14.9 ppg), who transferred to George Mason to play for ex-RU coach Jeri Porter.

Radford also must replace starters Johnette Walker (10.9 ppg), the Big South defensive player of the year, and Vandy Pullen from a team that went 10-18, 9-7 last season.

RU, which opens at William and Mary today, has been voted seventh in the Big South poll.

"There's some moments [in practice] that we look really sharp," coach Tajama Ngongba said. "Then we have some moments, because we are young, where you say, 'OK, this is where the lack of experience is going to hurt us.' "

Center Kymesha Alston (11.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg) will be the team's go-to scorer. Kaylyn Crosier, Denay Wood, Kahealani Vick, freshman Da-Naria Erwin-Spencer and Monmouth transfer Brooke McElroy also will see action.

Radford averaged just 57 points last season.

FERRUM

The Panthers return three starters from an 18-9 team. They have been picked second in the USA South preseason poll after finishing third in last year's standings.

Bassett graduate Kristen Keith, who averaged 11.3 points off the bench, will start at center. All-USA South first-team pick Tonya Wright (14.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg), a Bland County graduate, moves from center to small forward. All-USA South third-team pick Brittney Bullock (12 ppg) is back at power forward.

"We'll be a little bit bigger," coach Bryan Harvey said. "It might change our style of play a little bit, but I'm excited about having those three on the floor at the same time."

Guards Miranda Carrasco (12.1 ppg) and Caprice Laws must be replaced. Magna Vista graduate Ashley Norton (10.8 ppg) will shift from small forward to off-guard. Freshman Tesla Akers, who was an All-Class AAA pick at her Princeton, W.Va. high school, takes over at point guard.

Ferrum opens against Catholic in Marymount's tournament Friday.

WASHINGTON AND LEE

The Generals were 14-12, 13-7 in the ODAC last season -- their most conference wins ever.

Meg Ingram returns after averaging 15.5 points last season, when she was the ODAC rookie of the year. Becca Bolton (12.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Felice Herman (10.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg) are also back. Allie Long replaces Bethany Ridenhour (10.2 ppg) at point guard.

After tying for fourth in last year's standings, the Generals have been picked sixth in the ODAC preseason poll.

"We have to defend a lot better," said coach Mandy King, whose team opens Tuesday against visiting Mary Washington. "We really spent a lot of time trying to increase our pressure on the basketball."

HOLLINS

Hollins has lost 63 straight games, and is coming off a second straight winless season.

Fourth-year coach Richie Waggoner hopes greater depth will improve the team, despite the loss of three starters. He brought in eight freshmen, giving him 10 players.

"It's the most players I've had, and by far the most talent," said Waggoner, whose team has been picked last in the ODAC poll.

Lord Botetourt graduate Tamara Phillips (15.1 ppg) and James River graduate Candace Berra are back.

Waggoner, whose team opens against visiting Gallaudet today, is high on freshman point guard Jasmine Greene and freshman center Kendra McCain.

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

The Knights went 18-11 last season, losing in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association title game. They will miss USCAA All-American Tricia Dixon, who graduated a year early.

SVU, which has already played two games, welcomes back Kezia Ford and two other starters.

"We're still in search of an identity, playing mostly sophomores and freshmen," coach Mike Harmon said.