CHARLOTTE, NC- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in conjunction with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced the CIAA Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team on Friday.  The Chowan University women's basketball team was voted to finish second in the CIAA Northern Division race, with Dhyamond Crenshaw and Jordan Payne earning Preseason All-CIAA honors. 

The Chowan women's basketball team made their second CIAA semifinal appearance last season while posting a program-best 20-9 overall record and 13-3 league finish.  The Hawks earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament; making their first ever appearance in postseason play. 

Crehnsaw, a junior hailing from Burke, Virginia, averaged 10.6 points per game last season while grabbing 5.1 rebounds per outing.  She tallied a team-high 49 steals on the season.  Payne notched 11.6 points per contest with 9.0 rebounds per game.  The Norfolk, Virginia native recorded 34 steals and 41 assists on the year. 

Defending CIAA Northern Champion and CIAA Champion Virginia Union University grabbed the top spot in the preseason rankings.  Virginia State University and Bowie State University were tabbed to finish third and fourth in league play, respectively.  Lincoln University (PA) was picked fifth followed by Elizabeth City State University rounding out the division in sixth place.