DENVER The Western Athletic Conference announces its 2004 Preseason all-WAC team and Player of the Year as voted on by the coaches. SMU, the 2004 conference favorite, leads the team with five players. Rice placed two on the team, while Hawaii has two and UTEP one. The 2002 and 2003 WAC Player of the Year, Hawaii junior Natasha Kai, was named the 2004 Preseason Player of the Year.
Kai, the nations top goal scorer from a year ago, was named the 2004 Preseason Player of the Year after earning the 2003 Player of the Year. The junior from Kahuku, Oahu, posted 30 points in conference, including 14 goals to lead the conference. In her rookie campaign in 2002, Kai became the first WAC player to win both Freshman and Player of the Year.
There are 11 selections on this seasons preseason squad. At the forward position is Kai, Rice senior Sarah Yoder, and SMU sophomore and 2003 Freshman of the Year, Olivia ORear. In the midfield, there are SMU seniors Jill Heinemann and Erin MacCallum, Hawaii senior Joelle Sugai and junior Kaletia Roberts of UTEP. In defense, SMU junior Amanda Jordan and Rice senior Caitlin Currie and junior Erin Droger were selected. SMU senior Amanda Clark was named to the team as goalkeeper. Clark posted eight shutouts for the Mustangs in 2003.
2004 Preseason All-WAC TeamName, Team, Yr., PositionNatasha Kai, Hawaii, Jr., F
Olivia ORear, SMU, So., F
Sarah Yoder, Rice, Sr., F
Jill Heinemann, SMU, Sr., MF
Erin MacCallum, SMU, Sr., MF
Kaletia Roberts, UTEP, Jr., MF
Joelle Sugai, Hawaii, Sr., MF
Caitlin Currie, Rice, Sr., D
Erin Droeger, Rice, Jr., D
Amanda Jordan, SMU, Jr., D
Amanda Clark, SMU, Sr., GK
Preseason Player of the Year: Natasha Kai, Hawaii, Jr.