DENVER ? The Western Athletic Conference announced its women’s basketball preseason poll and all-WAC teams, as voted on by the nine head coaches in the league. For the sixth-straight season, Louisiana Tech was picked to win the WAC, while Lady Techster senior Shan Moore was selected the WAC’s preseason player of the year.
Louisiana Tech, the five-time defending regular-season champions, received seven first place votes and 63 points. Fresno State captured second place with 56 points, receiving one first-place vote. Nevada took third place with 48 points, receiving the one remaining first-place vote. With 41 points, Hawai?i was voted fourth. Boise State (40) and San Jose State (27) followed closely behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. New Mexico State (24) and Idaho (13) finished seventh and eight, respectively, while Utah State (12) was ranked ninth.
The coaches also voted on preseason first and second all-WAC teams. Louisiana Tech senior guard Shan Moore, a 2005-06 second-team all-WAC honoree, leads the list of first-teamers along with teammate Ty Moore. Sophomore Brandi Fitzgerald of Nevada, the 2005-06 WAC Newcomer of the Year, also earned a spot on the preseason team. Senior Chantella Perera of Fresno State and Brittany Grice of Hawai?i round out the first team.
Second-team selections include Tamika Kursh (Louisiana Tech), Sherell Neal (New Mexico State), Jasmine Marshall (Fresno State), Janevia Taylor (Hawai?i) and Tierre Wilson (Fresno State).
The Lady Techsters look for their sixth title in as many years in the WAC. Last season, Louisiana Tech was 15-1 in the WAC and advanced to its 25th-straight NCAA Tournament. Fresno State also advanced to postseason play last season, earning a WNIT berth.
2006-07 Preseason Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Louisiana Tech (7) 63
2. Fresno State (1) 56
3. Nevada (1) 48
4. Hawai?i 41
5. Boise State 40
6. San Jose State 27
7. New Mexico State 24
8. Idaho 13
9. Utah State 12
Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team Second Team
Brandi Fitzgerald, So., G, Nevada Tamika Kursh, Sr., F, La. Tech
Brittany Grice, Sr., C, Hawai?i Jasmine Marshall, Sr., G, Fresno St.
Chantella Perera, Sr., G, Fresno St. Sherrell Neal, So., F, New Mexico St.
Shan Moore, Sr., G, La. Tech Janevia Taylor, Sr., C, Hawai?i
Ty Moore, Sr. F, La. Tech Tierre Wilson, Jr., G, Fresno St.
Player of the Year: Shan Moore, Louisiana Tech