RENO - In conjunction with the WAC Media Days being held today in Reno, Nevada, the Western Athletic Conference announced its women?™s basketball coaches and media preseason polls and all-WAC teams. For the fifth-straight season, Louisiana Tech was picked to win the WAC by the coaches, while Lady Techster senior Tasha Williams (formerly Crain) was selected the WAC?™s preseason Player of the Year. Louisiana Tech and Williams were selected the media?™s choice as the WAC Champion and preseason Player of the Year, respectively.
In the coaches?™ poll, Louisiana Tech, the four-time defending regular-season champions, received six first place votes and 62 points. Fresno State captured second place with 54 points, receiving one first-place vote. San Jose State took third place with 49 points, receiving the one remaining first-place vote. With 44 points, Idaho was voted fourth. Hawai'i (39) and Nevada (25) followed closely behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Boise State and New Mexico State (20) tied for seventh, while Utah State (11) was ranked ninth.
The coaches also voted on first and second preseason all-WAC teams. Louisiana Tech senior guard Tasha Williams, a 2004-05 first-team all-WAC honoree, leads the list of first-teamers along with teammate Shan Moore. Senior Lamisha Augustine of San Jose State is the other first team selection from last year to make the preseason team. Sophomore Amber Jackson of San Jose State and WAC newcomer Emily Faurholt of Idaho round out the first team.
Second-team selections included Tamika Kursh (Louisiana Tech), Leilani Mitchell (Idaho), Amy Parrish (Fresno State), Amy Sanders (Hawai'i) and Mirenda Swearengin (Fresno State).
In the media poll, Louisiana Tech, the four-time defending regular-season champions, received all first place votes, earning 90 points. Fresno State was picked to finish second with 74 points followed by WAC newcomer Idaho with 62 points. San Jose State was picked to finish fourth with 59 points, followed closely by Hawai'i with 50 points. In sixth was Nevada with 34 points with Utah State following closely behind in seventh with 33 points. Boise State was slated to finish eighth with 26 points, and New Mexico State was picked to finish ninth with 22 points.
The media chose Louisiana Tech senior guard Tasha Williams as the Player of the Year. She was named WAC Player of the Year for the 2004-05 season. Fresno State?™s Amy Parrish and San Jose State?™s Lamisha Augustine were also named to the all-WAC team. They join Williams as the only three returning first-team all-WAC honorees from last season. WAC newcomer Emily Faurholt from Idaho and San Jose State?™s Amber Jackson round out the team.
The Lady Techsters look for their fifth title in as many years in the WAC. Last season, Louisiana Tech was 14-4 and advanced to its 24th-straight NCAA Tournament. Fresno State also advanced to postseason play last season, earning a WNIT berth.
2005-06 Preseason Women?™s Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Louisiana Tech (6) 62
2. Fresno State (1) 54
3. San Jose State (1) 49
4. Idaho 44
5. Hawai'i 39
6. Nevada 25
7. Boise State 20
New Mexico State 20
9. Utah State 11
Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team Second Team
Lamisha Augustine, Sr., F, SJSU Tamika Kursh, Jr., F, La. Tech
Emily Faurholt, Sr., P, Idaho Leilani Mitchell, Jr., G, Idaho
Amber Jackson, So. F, SJSU Amy Parrish, Sr., F, Fresno St.
Shan Moore, Jr., G, La. Tech Amy Sanders, Sr., G/F, Hawai'i
Tasha Williams, Sr. G, La. Tech Mirenda Swearengin, Sr., G, Fresno St.
Player of the Year: Tasha Williams, Louisiana Tech
2005-06 Preseason Women?™s Basketball Media Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Louisiana Tech (10) 90
2. Fresno State 74
3. Idaho 62
4. San Jose State 59
5. Hawai'i 50
6. Nevada 34
7. Utah State 33
8. Boise State 26
9. New Mexico State 22
Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team
Lamisha Augustine, Sr., F, San Jose State
Emily Faurholt, Sr., P, Idaho
Amber Jackson, So. F, San Jose State
Amy Parrish, Sr., F, Fresno State
Tasha Williams, Sr. G, La. Tech
Player of the Year: Tasha Williams, Louisiana Tech