Women's Basketball: WVU Picked 6th
October 28, 2004 01:41 PM | General
October 28, 2004
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NEWARK, N.J. – The West Virginia University women’s basketball team was predicted to finish sixth in the Big East preseason poll of conference coaches, it was announced today. WVU’s sixth-place preseason ranking is its highest since joining the Big East prior to the 1995-96 season.
Three-time defending national champion Connecticut was picked once again to win the league, followed by Notre Dame, Boston College, Rutgers and Villanova. Following West Virginia at sixth were Seton Hall, St. John’s, Syracuse, Georgetown, Pitt and Providence.
The league’s top six teams each earned NCAA tournament berths last season.
West Virginia senior point guard Yolanda Paige was named to the preseason all-Big East first team – the first time a Mountaineer player has been so honored. Paige joins Notre Dame forward Jacqueline Batteast, Boston College guard Jessalyn Deveny, Rutgers guard Cappie Pondexter, Connecticut guard Ann Strother, Villanova forward Liad Suez and Connecticut forward Barbara Turner on the first team.
Paige was fourth in the nation in assists last year as a junior averaging 7.9 per game. She also averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
"I didn't really expect it," Paige said of making the first team. "There are a lot of great players in this league and it is an honor to make the first team."
Batteast was named preseason player of the year and Connecticut forward Charde Houston was named preseason freshman of the year.
West Virginia’s Meg Bulger was named to the preseason all-Big East second team along with St. John’s forward Angela Clark, Notre Dame guard Megan Duffy, Connecticut forward Jessica Moore and Boston College forward Kathrin Ress.
West Virginia is coming off a 21-11 campaign in 2004, making its first trip to the NCAA tournament in 12 years.
"We are getting a lot more respect compared to my freshman season here," Paige said. "Everyone knows about us now."
The Mountaineers open regular season play on Friday, Nov. 19, at the WVU Coliseum against UNC Greensboro.
