Techsters Tabbed 2nd In WAC Preseason Poll
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: October 24, 2012
In the coaches poll, Tech garnered three of the 10 first place votes and a total of 75 points to finish behind preseason league favorite Utah State. The Aggies picked up seven first place votes and totaled 78 points. Denver (55), Seattle (48), Idaho (47), Texas State (41), San Jose State (36), New Mexico State (27), UTSA (26) and UT Arlington (17) round out the team rankings.
Tech sophomore forward Whitney Frazier was named to the preseason all-conference first team, joining Utah State's Devyn Christensen, Idaho's Alyssa Charleston, Texas State's Diamond Ford and Seattle's Kacie Sowell. Frazier is coming off a rookie campaign that saw her average 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Christensen was named the WAC Preseason Player of the Year.
The coaches all-WAC second team consists of Idaho's Krissy Carr, San Jose State's Ta'Rea Cunnigan, Denver's Quincy Noonan, Denver's Emiko Smith and Seattle's Ashley Ward.
The WAC media also tabbed Utah State as the preseason favorite as the Aggies received nine first place votes and a total of 165 points. LA Tech is second with four first place votes and 145 points followed by Denver (1, 135), Seattle (2, 111), Texas State (1, 105), Idaho (91), San Jose State (70), UTSA (59), New Mexico State (1, 56) and UT Arlington (53).
Frazier also earned first team honors as the media's all-conference first team was identical to the coaches with Christensen, Charlston, Ford and Sowell making up the team. Tech sophomore guard Kelia Shelton earned second team honors despite having not played a game since transferring from Clemson. Shelton was joined by Cunnigan, Karr, Smith and New Mexico State's Stefanie Gilbreath.
LA Tech will host Mississippi College in an exhibition game on Nov. 4 before opening the season at Tulane on Nov. 9. The Lady Techsters home opener is Nov. 12 against South Carolina.
Coaches Poll
1. Utah State (7) 78
2. LA Tech (3) 75
3. Denver 55
4. Seattle 48
5. Idaho 47
6. Texas State 41
7. San Jose St. 36
8. NMSU 27
9. UTSA 26
10. UT Arlington 17
First Team
Alyssa Charlston, Idaho
Devyn Christensen, Utah State (POY)
Whitney Frazier, LA Tech
Diamond Ford, Texas State
Kacie Sowell, Seattle
Second Team
Ta'Rea Cunnigan, SJSU
Krissy Karr, Idaho
Quincey Noonan, Denver
Emiko Smith, Denver
Ashley Ward, Seattle
Media Poll
1. Utah State (9) 165
2. LA Tech (4) 145
3. Denver (1) 135
4. Seattle (2) 111
5. Texas St. (1) 105
6. Idaho 91
7. San Jose St. 70
8. UTSA 59
9. NMSU (1) 56
10. UT Arlington 53
First Team
Alyssa Charlston, Idaho
Devyn Christensen, Utah State (POY)
Whitney Frazier, LA Tech
Diamond Ford, Texas State
Kacie Sowell, Seattle
Second Team
Ta'Rea Cunnigan, SJSU
Stefanie Gilbreath, NMSU
Krissy Karr, Idaho
Kelia Shelton, Clemson
Emiko Smith, Denver
