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Holmes Garners Preseason All-Big 12 Honors
October 07, 2015 09:59 AM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University women’s basketball senior Bria Holmes was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. The awards are chosen by head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.
“This is a great honor for Bria Holmes," said coach Mike Carey. "She has been a tremendous player for us and is truly deserving of this honor.”
Holmes is a two-time All-Big 12 First Team unanimous selection and a WBCA All-America Honorable Mention. Last season, the New Haven, Connecticut, native tallied 716 points and grabbed 169 rebounds in 38 games. Her single-season point total ranked second all-time in program history behind Rosemary Kosiorek’s 730 set in 1992.
Holmes’ 18.8 points per game ranked 42nd nationally last season, and she ranked in seven different Big 12 statistical categories. The senior has accumulated 1,412 points in her first three seasons, which is 17th on WVU’s all-time scoring ledger.
Joining Holmes on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team are Nina Davis (Baylor), Niya Johnson (Baylor), Gabbi Ortiz (Oklahoma), Brittney Martin (Oklahoma State) and Zahna Medley (TCU). Six players were honored due to a tie in the voting.
Baylor’s Davis was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while her teammate Alexis Jones was honored as Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Texas’ Lashann Higgs picked up Preseason Freshman of the Year accolades.
Davis was last season’s Big 12 Player of the Year, while Ortiz garnered Freshman of the Year honors. Davis, Johnson, Martin, Medley and Holmes were members of the 2014-15 All-Big 12 First Team.
West Virginia starts practice today. The Mountaineers’ first action takes place in the annual Haunted Hoops game presented by Coke Zero on Saturday, Oct. 31, versus Shepherd at 7 p.m. WVU’s regular-season opener with Delaware State is set for Saturday, Nov. 14.
Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now. Reserved seats are $75. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-WVU GAME.
2015-16 Big 12 Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason awards
(coaches not allowed to vote for own players)
Preseason Player of the Year
Nina Davis, Baylor, F, 5-11, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Alexis Jones, Baylor, G, 5-9, Jr., Irving, Texas
Alexis Jones, Baylor, G, 5-9, Jr., Irving, Texas
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Lashann Higgs, Texas, G, 5-9, Fr., Round Rock, Texas
Lashann Higgs, Texas, G, 5-9, Fr., Round Rock, Texas
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Nina Davis, Baylor, F, 5-11, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
Niya Johnson, Baylor, G, 5-8, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.
Gabbi Ortiz, Oklahoma, G, 5-9, So., Racine, Wis.
Brittney Martin, Oklahoma State, G, 6-0, Sr., Syracuse, Utah
Zahna Medley, TCU, G, 5-6, Sr., Springfield, Ill.
Bria Holmes, West Virginia, G, 6-1, Sr., New Haven, Conn.
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school)
Alexis Jones (Baylor), Breanna Lewis (K-State), Gioya Carter (Oklahoma), Peyton Little (Oklahoma), Kaylon Williams (Oklahoma), Veja Hamilton (TCU), Ariel Atkins (Texas), Imani Boyette (Texas), Kelsey Lang (Texas).
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