Golden Eagles tabbed No. 3 in WVIAC poll
The University of Charleston has been chosen to place third in the conference in 2007-08, according to the WVIAC Preseason Coaches Poll released Oct. 30. The Golden Eagles, who received two first place votes, have won 83 contests over the past three seasons for head coach Sherry Winn. A youthful Golden Eagle squad this season returns only a pair of starters. Sharpshooting guard Emily Jones (10.3 points per game) is the squad's lone senior. Junior forward Jihan Williams (11.6 ppg, 8.5 rebounds per game) is poised for a breakout season.
If the annual coaches' poll is any indication, the 2007-08 WVIAC women's basketball season is slated to be one of change. The league's head coaches have selected Concord as the favorite to claim the school's first-ever WVIAC regular season title. Traditional powerhouse Glenville State is picked eleventh after a tumultous off-season. Add newcomers Pitt Johnstown and Seton Hill to the mix and it could be a very interesting season in the WVIAC women's basketball ranks.
Concord received nine first place votes to sit atop the poll. Second place Fairmont State got four nods for the top spot and is second. Charleston (23-8 overall, 15-3 WVIAC in 2006-07) garnered the remaining two first place votes to place third. West Liberty State and Shepherd round out the top five.
Pitt Johnstown, Wheeling Jesuit, and West Virginia complete the upper half of the predictions in sixth through eighth. Seton Hill, Salem International, Glenville State, and Ohio Valley sit in the ninth through twelveth spots. Alderson-Broaddus, West Virginia State, Bluefield State, and Davis & Elkins complete the balloting.
Concord (21-9, 12-6) returns nine of the top ten players from the program's first 20-win squad. Senior forwards Becca Flanagan (12.6 ppg) and Samm Nester (13.8 ppg) provide scoring for Kenny Osborne's Lady Lions. Point guard Jamie Cluesman ( 10.0 ppg, 7.0 apg) is one of Division II's top playmakers.
Fairmont State (19-10, 11-7) should have plenty of talent on hand as head coach Steve McDonald welcomes a strong group of newcomers. Holdovers Danielle Cornish ( 15.7 ppg), Jaimie Merinar (10.9 ppg), and Molly Kiger (11.2, 7.5 rpg) should comprise one of the league's strongest front lines.
West Liberty State (21-10, 12-6) can always be counted on to rank among the national leaders in made three-pointers. Head coach Lynn Ullom usually finds a way for his team to be in contention for league and regional honors. Senior guards Renee Farina ( 12.8 ppg) and Lisa Perry (5.4 ppg, 9.4 apg) pace the Toppers. 6-1 Longwood transfer Cassie Smith could play a key role for West Liberty.
Shepherd (18-11, 11-7) returns four starters and five other letterwinners for an experienced squad. 6-1 Laura Harkins ( 12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) ranks among the WVIAC's all-time blocked shot leaders. The guard trio of Krissy Grosselin (10.4 ppg), Anna Kauffman (9.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and Rebecca Frece (7.9 ppg) provide a solid backcourt.
Almost everything is new at Pitt Johnstown (21-8). The Lady Cats begin playing a full WVIAC schedule under new head coach Sasha Palmer. Junior guard Lindsay Cale (10.6 ppg) is the top returnee from last season's NCAA Tournament squad.
Wheeling Jesuit (17-12, 11-7) has not recorded a losing league record in any of Joe Key's thirteen seasons as head coach. Eight newcomers will attempt to help seniors Megan O'Donnell (9.6 ppg) and Kristen King ( 6.8 ppg) extend the streak of winning league marks to 14 years.
All-American candidate Sarah Van Horn (18.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg) hopes to lead Steve Tierney's Bobcats up the WVIAC ladder. Seniors Lucia Darling (9.7 ppg) and Brandi Wynn ( 10.8 ppg) are the other returning starters in Buckhannon.
Seton Hill (12-11) plays a full league schedule, but the Griffins aren't eligible for the league championship until next season. SHU returns four starters for former Miami head coach Ferne Labati. Sophomore forward Katie Lintner ( 12.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg) led the WVIAC in rebounding as a rookie. Autumn Himes (13.0 ppg), the team's leading returning scorer, is a threat from outside.
Salem International (12-16, 10-8) is a threat with standout guard Jeannie Saunders ( 22.0 ppg, 5.6 apg). The all-region selection led the WVIAC in scoring last season. The Tigers also return Tapre Young (12.0 ppg) and LaKeisha Bowsman (3.6 ppg). Head coach Romeo Lagmay is also excited about the newcomers for SIU.
Long-time assistant coach Dennis Fitzpatrick takes over at Glenville State (33-3, 18-0). Senior forward Karina Kendrick (5.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) is the lone returning starter for GSC. A bevy of new faces will have to play major roles for the Pioneers to retain their perch near the top of the WVIAC.
Ohio Valley (9-19, 6-12) has potential to be a league surprise as the Lady Scots welcome back proven scorers Brittany Brooks (17.1 ppg), Natasha Holloway (13.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg), and Rachel Deaton (11.9 ppg). New head coach Alan Carroll hopes to shore up a defense that allowed 80.8 points per game in 2006-07.
Alderson-Broaddus (4-23, 3-15) displayed steady improvement during Josh Allen's first year as a head coach. The Battlers retain seven of their top eight scorers from last season, including WVIAC All-Freshman guard Stephanie Phatiphong ( 11.6 ppg).
Head coach Gill Heasley is confident that a talented mix of newcomers can help lead West Virginia State (4-24, 2-16) back into contention. IUPUI transfers Brittany Mingo and Tiffany Finkton should play important parts in the Jackets' up-tempo attack. Randi Cary ( 8.9 ppg) ranked second on the squad in scoring last season.
Bluefield State (7-21, 4-14) has to replace their top three scorers. Laila Shareef (9.5 ppg) and Rachel Ellis (4.2 ppg) are the lone returning starters for Gary Brown's Lady Blues.
Davis & Elkins (4-23, 2-16) moves into the sparkling McDonnell Center this season as the Senators leave ancient Memorial Gymnasium behind. Courtney Pawlak (14.3 ppg) and Cara Waybright (13.0 ppg) should register plenty of points in D&E's new digs.
2007-08 WVIAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll
1. Concord (9) 225
2. Fairmont State (4) 211
3. Charleston (2) 208
4. West Liberty State 195
5. Shepherd 167
6. Pitt Johnstown 152
7. Wheeling Jesuit 144
8. West Virginia Wesleyan 132
9. Seton Hill 107
10. Salem International 103
11. Glenville State 102
12. Ohio Valley 75
13. Alderson-Broaddus 71
14. West Virginia State 70
15. Bluefield State 37
16. Davis & Elkins 27
If the annual coaches' poll is any indication, the 2007-08 WVIAC women's basketball season is slated to be one of change. The league's head coaches have selected Concord as the favorite to claim the school's first-ever WVIAC regular season title. Traditional powerhouse Glenville State is picked eleventh after a tumultous off-season. Add newcomers Pitt Johnstown and Seton Hill to the mix and it could be a very interesting season in the WVIAC women's basketball ranks.
Concord received nine first place votes to sit atop the poll. Second place Fairmont State got four nods for the top spot and is second. Charleston (23-8 overall, 15-3 WVIAC in 2006-07) garnered the remaining two first place votes to place third. West Liberty State and Shepherd round out the top five.
Pitt Johnstown, Wheeling Jesuit, and West Virginia complete the upper half of the predictions in sixth through eighth. Seton Hill, Salem International, Glenville State, and Ohio Valley sit in the ninth through twelveth spots. Alderson-Broaddus, West Virginia State, Bluefield State, and Davis & Elkins complete the balloting.
Concord (21-9, 12-6) returns nine of the top ten players from the program's first 20-win squad. Senior forwards Becca Flanagan (12.6 ppg) and Samm Nester (13.8 ppg) provide scoring for Kenny Osborne's Lady Lions. Point guard Jamie Cluesman ( 10.0 ppg, 7.0 apg) is one of Division II's top playmakers.
Fairmont State (19-10, 11-7) should have plenty of talent on hand as head coach Steve McDonald welcomes a strong group of newcomers. Holdovers Danielle Cornish ( 15.7 ppg), Jaimie Merinar (10.9 ppg), and Molly Kiger (11.2, 7.5 rpg) should comprise one of the league's strongest front lines.
West Liberty State (21-10, 12-6) can always be counted on to rank among the national leaders in made three-pointers. Head coach Lynn Ullom usually finds a way for his team to be in contention for league and regional honors. Senior guards Renee Farina ( 12.8 ppg) and Lisa Perry (5.4 ppg, 9.4 apg) pace the Toppers. 6-1 Longwood transfer Cassie Smith could play a key role for West Liberty.
Shepherd (18-11, 11-7) returns four starters and five other letterwinners for an experienced squad. 6-1 Laura Harkins ( 12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) ranks among the WVIAC's all-time blocked shot leaders. The guard trio of Krissy Grosselin (10.4 ppg), Anna Kauffman (9.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and Rebecca Frece (7.9 ppg) provide a solid backcourt.
Almost everything is new at Pitt Johnstown (21-8). The Lady Cats begin playing a full WVIAC schedule under new head coach Sasha Palmer. Junior guard Lindsay Cale (10.6 ppg) is the top returnee from last season's NCAA Tournament squad.
Wheeling Jesuit (17-12, 11-7) has not recorded a losing league record in any of Joe Key's thirteen seasons as head coach. Eight newcomers will attempt to help seniors Megan O'Donnell (9.6 ppg) and Kristen King ( 6.8 ppg) extend the streak of winning league marks to 14 years.
All-American candidate Sarah Van Horn (18.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg) hopes to lead Steve Tierney's Bobcats up the WVIAC ladder. Seniors Lucia Darling (9.7 ppg) and Brandi Wynn ( 10.8 ppg) are the other returning starters in Buckhannon.
Seton Hill (12-11) plays a full league schedule, but the Griffins aren't eligible for the league championship until next season. SHU returns four starters for former Miami head coach Ferne Labati. Sophomore forward Katie Lintner ( 12.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg) led the WVIAC in rebounding as a rookie. Autumn Himes (13.0 ppg), the team's leading returning scorer, is a threat from outside.
Salem International (12-16, 10-8) is a threat with standout guard Jeannie Saunders ( 22.0 ppg, 5.6 apg). The all-region selection led the WVIAC in scoring last season. The Tigers also return Tapre Young (12.0 ppg) and LaKeisha Bowsman (3.6 ppg). Head coach Romeo Lagmay is also excited about the newcomers for SIU.
Long-time assistant coach Dennis Fitzpatrick takes over at Glenville State (33-3, 18-0). Senior forward Karina Kendrick (5.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) is the lone returning starter for GSC. A bevy of new faces will have to play major roles for the Pioneers to retain their perch near the top of the WVIAC.
Ohio Valley (9-19, 6-12) has potential to be a league surprise as the Lady Scots welcome back proven scorers Brittany Brooks (17.1 ppg), Natasha Holloway (13.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg), and Rachel Deaton (11.9 ppg). New head coach Alan Carroll hopes to shore up a defense that allowed 80.8 points per game in 2006-07.
Alderson-Broaddus (4-23, 3-15) displayed steady improvement during Josh Allen's first year as a head coach. The Battlers retain seven of their top eight scorers from last season, including WVIAC All-Freshman guard Stephanie Phatiphong ( 11.6 ppg).
Head coach Gill Heasley is confident that a talented mix of newcomers can help lead West Virginia State (4-24, 2-16) back into contention. IUPUI transfers Brittany Mingo and Tiffany Finkton should play important parts in the Jackets' up-tempo attack. Randi Cary ( 8.9 ppg) ranked second on the squad in scoring last season.
Bluefield State (7-21, 4-14) has to replace their top three scorers. Laila Shareef (9.5 ppg) and Rachel Ellis (4.2 ppg) are the lone returning starters for Gary Brown's Lady Blues.
Davis & Elkins (4-23, 2-16) moves into the sparkling McDonnell Center this season as the Senators leave ancient Memorial Gymnasium behind. Courtney Pawlak (14.3 ppg) and Cara Waybright (13.0 ppg) should register plenty of points in D&E's new digs.
2007-08 WVIAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll
1. Concord (9) 225
2. Fairmont State (4) 211
3. Charleston (2) 208
4. West Liberty State 195
5. Shepherd 167
6. Pitt Johnstown 152
7. Wheeling Jesuit 144
8. West Virginia Wesleyan 132
9. Seton Hill 107
10. Salem International 103
11. Glenville State 102
12. Ohio Valley 75
13. Alderson-Broaddus 71
14. West Virginia State 70
15. Bluefield State 37
16. Davis & Elkins 27