DENVER ? Boise State is the preseason favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference, while Nevada senior Dellena Criner was selected the WAC’s Preseason Player of the Year in a vote of the league’s nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.
The Broncos received 61 points and five first-place votes to beat out Fresno State for the top spot. The Bulldogs captured second place with 58 points and three first-place votes. Louisiana Tech took third place with 46 points, followed closely by Nevada in fourth place with 41 points and Hawai?i in fifth place with 39 points. Utah State was selected sixth with 25 points and the remaining first-place vote. Hawai?i (24), San Jose State (19) and Idaho (11) rounded out the poll.
Criner, a first-team All-WAC selection a year ago, leads the list of Preseason All-WAC honorees. Joining her on the first team are Shanavia Dowdell of Louisiana Tech, Tasha Harris of Boise State, and Hayley Munro and Jaleesa Ross of Fresno State.
Second-team selections include Brandi Fitzgerald (Nevada), Danyelle Snelgro (Utah State), Madison Spence (New Mexico State), Natalie White (San Jose State) and Tarkeisha Wysinger (Louisiana Tech).
Boise State and Fresno State tied for the regular-season WAC title last year with 14-2 records. The Broncos advanced to the second round of the WNIT, while Fresno State fell to No. 12 Baylor in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
2008-09 Preseason Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Boise State (5) 61
2. Fresno State (3) 58
3. Louisiana Tech 46
4. Nevada 41
5. New Mexico State 39
6. Utah State (1) 25
7. Hawai?i 24
8. San Jose State 19
9. Idaho 11
Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team Second Team
Dellena Criner, Sr., G, NEV Brandi Fitzgerald, Sr., G, NEV
Shanavia Dowdell, Jr., F, LTU Danyelle Snelgro, Sr., G, USU
Tasha Harris, Sr., G, BSU Madison Spence, So., G, NMSU
Hayley Munro, So., F, FS Natalie White, Sr., G, SJSU
Jaleesa Ross, So., G, FS Tarkeisha Wysinger, So., G, LTU
Preseason Player of the Year: Dellena Criner, Nevada