NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 announced its annual preseason honors on Monday morning, as Libby Bazelak and Laia Solé both earned spots on preseason all-conference teams for Duquesne. In the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Dukes were selected to finish tied for fourth with Davidson and Fordham, with each team earning 140 points.

Bazelak earned spots on the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference First Team and the Preseason All-Defensive Team. Solé was selected to the A-10 Preseason All-Conference Second Team.

Bazelak, a 2019-20 A-10 All-Conference Second Team honoree, led Duquesne in points (13.2 ppg), rebounds (6.5 rpg), assists (3.9) a season ago, becoming the first Duke since Korie Hlede to lead the Dukes in all three categories. The versatile senior guard from Kettering, Ohio ranked in the top-10 of eight different Atlantic 10 categories a season ago and led the conference and ranked 11th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.444). Defensively, Bazelak's 1.3 steals per game also led the team. Bazelak and Saint Louis' Ciaja Harbison were the lone student-athletes selected to both the conference's first team and all-defensive teams.

"Libby richly deserves being recognized on the preseason Atlantic 10 first team," said Duquesne head coach Dan Burt. "Her on-court play and leadership last year was outstanding and we expect even more this season. We believe she is the best pure point guard in the Atlantic 10."

Solé, Duquesne's second-leading scorer with 11.8 points per game, returns as one of the conference's premier offensive threats. She led the Dukes in field goal percentage (.471), which ranked seventh-best in the Atlantic 10 a season ago. She posted four 20-point performances during her redshirt junior season, including a 38-point outburst against Saint Francis (Pa.), which marked the most points by a Duke in 21 seasons. Solé was one of just two centers and one of four true backcourt players to be recognized.

"We believe that Laia is the best offensive post player in the A-10," stated Burt of the Spain native. "She has raised her level of play over the summer and we are expecting a big year from her."

The Dukes were one of four teams to earn a first-place vote, as VCU (185), Dayton (176) and Saint Louis (171) were picked to finish in the top three spots. The Dukes were picked to finish tied for fourth with Davidson and Fordham, who all earned 140 points. Massachusetts (118), Richmond (81), George Washington (78), La Salle (70), Rhode Island (65), St. Bonaventure (42), Saint Joseph's (41) and George Mason (23) round out the poll. 

"Polls are polls," continued Burt. "We believe we are capable of winning the league if we maintain a strong mental resiliency. Our talent has great depth and we have size and versatility at every position. We can play both small and big depending on the situation."

Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll         
Team (First-Place Votes)      Points