by Dave Mackall , Pittsburgh Tribune Review

It arrives at the arena as the preseason pick to finish tied for sixth in the Atlantic 10 Conference after producing a record-setting 20-11 season a year ago, when it made its first postseason appearance with a bid to the WNIT.

"Obviously, we're excited about the success we experienced last year and what the players were able to accomplish in a short time," Duquesne coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "But we're not settling on the past. We want to get further in the postseason.

"Our ultimate goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament, and we know we have a challenging conference. It's going to be very tough."

Saturday's scheduled Fan Fest will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and admission is free.

Longtime Duquesne broadcaster Ray Goss will emcee the event, which features scrimmages by both Duquesne teams, ceremonies to unveil the 2009 NIT and WNIT banners and contests for fans, including an opportunity to make a half-court shot to win an automobile.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle for the Duquesne women's team to overcome is the loss of all-conference point guard Kristi Little, who finished her college career last season with a 24-point performance in a 59-58, first-round loss to Butler in the WNIT.

"Our players are very motivated," McConnell-Serio said. "They want to get a taste of the postseason again, and they've worked very, very hard in the offseason to get motivated."

In the poll, released Wednesday, Duquesne was chosen by the A-10 coaches and media to finish in a tie with St. Bonaventure for sixth.

Xavier, after advancing to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and seventh overall in the postseason, was picked first in the poll.

Coach Kevin McGuff's Musketeers, 25-7 last season, received 12 first-place votes. They return three starters, including junior center Ta'Shia Phillips, the A-10 Player of the Year.

Duquesne placed two players -- senior guard Keri Pryor and redshirt junior forward Samantha Pollino -- on the preseason all-conference third team.

Duquesne, in its third season under McConnell-Serio, opens the regular season Nov. 11 at Cornell. The Dukes will play host to a pair of exhibition games against Division II opponents Indiana (Pa.) on Nov. 1 and West Liberty on Nov. 6.

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