DENVER The Western Athletic Conference announced its womens basketball preseason poll and all-WAC teams, as voted on by the 10 head coaches in the league. For the third-straight season, Louisiana Tech was picked to win the WAC, while Lady Techster senior Trina Frierson was selected the WACs preseason player of the year.
Louisiana Tech, the two-time defending regular-season and tournament champions, received nine first place votes and 81 points. Rice captured second place with 70 points, receiving the remaining first place vote. SMU took third place with 60 votes. With 51 points, Hawaii was voted fourth with Fresno State (45) and San Jose State (40) following closely behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Tulsa was seventh (39), while UTEP (30) was ranked eighth. Rounding out the poll, Boise State (21) was voted ninth followed by Nevada (13).
The coaches also voted on a first and second preseason all-WAC team. Louisiana Tech senior forward Trina Frierson, a 2002-03 first team all-WAC honoree, leads the list of first-team honorees along with Lady Techster senior guard Amber Obaze. San Jose State senior guard Cricket Williams also earned first team honors after finishing second in the WAC in scoring (20.4 ppg) and steals (2.89 spg). SMU senior guard Andrea Cossey finished last season fourth in three-point field goals made. Rice senior Johnette Hayes rounds out the first team. Hayes is a 2002-03 all-WAC member and is tied for eighth all-time in single-season blocks with 69 last season.
Second-team selections included Jade Abele (Hawaii), Jamie Hawkins (Boise State), Erica Smith-Taylor (Louisiana Tech), Tatiana Taylor (San Jose State) and Vaida Zagurskyte (UTEP).
The Lady Techsters look for their third WAC title in as many years. Last season, Louisiana Tech set a WAC record with 18 conference wins, ending the regular season with a perfect record in league games. Behind graduating senior Cheryl Ford, the two-time Player of the Year, and Trina Frierson, the Lady Techsters advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
Fresno State and Hawaii both advanced to the Womens National Invitational Tournament. The Rainbow Wahine lost in the first round. First-year head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein led the Bulldogs to the quarterfinals of the WNIT, losing to Baylor on the road. Johnson-Klein led Fresno State to a 12-game improvement over the 2001-02 season.
The WAC returns three first-team selections from a year ago in Frierson, Rices Johnetta Hayes and San Jose States Cricket Williams. Louisiana Techs Erica Smith-Taylor and Amber Obaze are the only returning second-team honorees. WAC Freshman of the Year, Jamie Hawkins of Boise State, also returns this season.
2003-04 Preseason Womens Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Louisiana Tech (9) 81
2. Rice (1) 70
3. SMU 60
4. Hawaii 51
5. Fresno State 45
6. San Jose State 40
7. Tulsa 39
8. UTEP 30
9. Boise State 21
10. Nevada 13
First Team
Andrea Cossey, Sr. G, SMU
Trina Frierson, Sr., F, La. Tech
Johnetta Hayes, Sr., C, Rice
Amber Obaze, Sr., G, La. Tech
Cricket Williams, Sr., G, SJSU
Second Team
Jade Abele, Jr., F, Hawaii
Jamie Hawkins, So., F, Boise St.
Erica Smith-Taylor, Jr., F, La. Tech
Tatiana Taylor, Sr., F, SJSU
Vaida Zaurskyte, Jr., G, UTEP
Player of the Year: Trina Frierson, La. Tech