When it comes to women's basketball in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's Western Division, predicting first place is a no-brainer.

California (Pa.) won the PSAC's first Division II basketball national championship last year and returns three starters from that squad: guards Sara McKinney and Megan Storck, and forward Erin Dillon.

The Vulcans were 35-1 last year, are 68-3 over the past two seasons and 112-19 in former Slippery Rock University coach Darcie Vincent's four years at the helm.

"We graduated 3,100 points and a whole lot of rebounds," Vincent said. "We have to rebuild our post with younger players, and that will be a challenge."

Sameera Philyaw and Becky Siembak are the frontcourt tandem lost to graduation. Butler graduate Kim Nowakowski is competing for a starting forward spot this year.

Nowakowski transferred to California from Bowling Green State (Ohio) University, where she was sidelined with a broken foot last year.

McKinney averaged 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last year. Storck netted 14.2 points, 7.92 assists and 3.67 steals a year ago.

"They're our leaders," Vincent said. "We're counting on them because the target is definitely on our backs now."

Shippensburg, Edinboro and Clarion are picked on the preseason coaches poll to grab the other three PSAC playoff berths out of the West.

The Red Raiders have three starters back, including senior point guard Jennifer Scaffidi (11.9 ppg., 4.3 apg.) and all-conference selection Shanna Oaddams, a sophomore center.

Edinboro also returns three starters, led by junior forward Maria DiVecchio (14.1 ppg.). The Fighting Scots have a pair of sister acts from Ambridge - Kelly and returning starter Jodi Calderone, as well as Callie and Mandie Iorfido.

Kelly Calderone is a transfer from the University of Buffalo.

"I feel like we're moving the Ambridge High School team up here," Edinboro coach Stan Swank said.

Clarion returns two seniors who averaged double digits in points and rebounds a year ago: Forward Heather Cigich and center Shay Godwin.

The pair combined for 35.6 points and 23.3 rebounds per game last year.

"We have new people in the backcourt, and that will determine how well we do," Clarion coach Gie Parsons said. "We'll probably be starting a true freshman at point guard."

Indiana returns three starters, but none averaged in double figures. Karns City graduate Courtnay Rattigan, a senior, will start at center for IUP.

Rattigan averaged 15.4 minutes, 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game last year.

"Courtnay's earned that right to be a starter," IUP coach Justin English said. "She's been through so many injuries and has a tremendous amount of character.

"She's a very good mental player. She plays smart, she's a good leader and we're hoping she has a healthy season."

Valerie Curtis is a first-year coach at Lock Haven, which brings back three of its top four scorers. Senior forward Melissa Picarsic and sophomore guard Elizabeth Gabrielle return after starting every game last season.