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 fourth-straight season, Louisiana Tech was picked to win the WAC, while Lady Techster senior Erica Taylor was selected the WACs preseason player of the year.
Louisiana Tech, the three-time defending regular-season and tournament champions, received eight first place votes and 80 points. Rice captured second place with 70 points, receiving the two remaining first-place points. Tulsa took third place with 61 points. With 55 points, SMU was voted fourth with UTEP (47) and Fresno State (44) following closely behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Boise State was seventh (35), while Hawaii (27) was ranked eighth. Rounding out the poll, San Jose State (16) was voted ninth followed by Nevada (13).
The coaches also voted on a first and second preseason all-WAC teams. Louisiana Tech senior guard Erica Taylor, a 2003-04 second team all-WAC honoree, leads the list of first-team honorees along with super sophomore forwards Lauren Neaves of Rice and Jillian Robbins from Tulsa. Hawaii first team all-WAC honoree Jade Abele is one of three first team returnees along with Neaves and Robbins. Robbins was also named Newcomer of the Year after leading the Golden Hurricane to postseason play for the first-time in school history. Rice senior forward, Michelle Woods, is the final member of the first team.
Second-team selections included Lakiste Barkus (Louisiana Tech), Tasha Crain (Louisiana Tech), Sarah Davis (SMU), Jamie Hawkins (Boise State) and Megan Moody (Tulsa).
The Lady Techsters look for their fourth title in as many years in the WAC. Last season, Louisiana Tech was 17-1 last season, losing for only the second time in three WAC seasons. Behind graduating Player of the Year Amisha Carter and Trina Frierson, the Lady Techsters advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Rice and Tulsa both advanced to the Womens National Invitational Tournament. The Owls lost in the second round, defeating Arkansas State before falling to UNLV by two points. In their first postseason appearance, the Golden Hurricane lost a close bout with Memphis in the first round.
The only first-team selections returning from a year ago are Abele, Neaves and Robbins. Louisiana Techs Taylor is the only returning second-team member.
2004-05 Preseason Womens Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Louisiana Tech (8) 80
2. Rice (2) 72
3. Tulsa 61
4. SMU 55
5. UTEP 47
6. Fresno State 44
7. Boise State 35
8. Hawaii 27
9. San Jose State 16
10. Nevada 13
Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team
Jade Abele, Jr., F, Hawaii
Lauren Neaves, So., F, Rice
Jillian Robbins, So. F, Tulsa
Erica Taylor, Sr., F, La. Tech
Michelle Woods, Sr. F, Rice
Second Team
Lakiste Barkus, Sr., G, La. Tech
Tasha Crain, Jr., G, La. Tech
Sarah Davis, Jr., F, SMU
Jamie Hawkins, So., F, Boise St.
Megan Moody, Jr., G/F, Tulsa
Player of the Year: Erica Taylor, Louisiana Tech