Big 12 Preseason Poll Released
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 14, 2015) – The West Virginia University women’s basketball team was predicted to finish sixth in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll, as voted by the league’s head coaches.
Baylor (80) received eight of 10 first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams). Second-place Texas (70) and third-place Oklahoma (69) each also received a first-place vote and were separated by just one point. Iowa State (48) and TCU (47) rounded out the top five and were also a point apart. West Virginia (40) was picked sixth, followed by K-State (36), Oklahoma State (27), Texas Tech (18) and Kansas (15).
The Mountaineers are coming off a 23-15 (7-11) campaign in 2014-15. West Virginia reached the championship game of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) before falling, 62-60, to UCLA in Charleston, West Virginia. Last season, WVU set a program record with 19 victories at home.
Senior Bria Holmes returns to lead the Mountaineers this season. The senior co-captain recorded 716 points as a junior, which ranks second all-time in a single-season at WVU. She was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection the past two seasons and was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team earlier this month.
Also returning to the Mountaineers is junior co-captain Lanay Montgomery. The Pittsburgh native led the Big 12 and ranked 10th in the NCAA with 124 blocks last season, also averaging 7.7 rebounds and 4.7 points in 38 games last season. Other returners include sophomore Teana Muldrow (6.9 ppg) and senior Jessica Morton (5.6 ppg). Forward Kayla Montgomery is out for the season due to a torn ACL.
West Virginia has 11 total newcomers on this year’s squad. There are three transfers and eight freshman on the Mountaineers’ roster for 2015-16.
The Mountaineers tip off the season with the annual Haunted Hoops exhibition game on Saturday, October 31, against Shepherd. Regular season action starts on Saturday, November 14, when WVU hosts Delaware State. Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now with reserved seats available for $75. Fans can purchase tickets by visitingWVUGAME.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-WVU GAME.
2015-16 Big 12 Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Baylor (8) 80
2. Texas (1) 70
3. Oklahoma (1) 69
4. Iowa State 48
5. TCU 47
6. West Virginia 40
7. K-State 36
8. Oklahoma State 27
9. Texas Tech 18
10. Kansas 15
Keep up with West Virginia women’s basketball on Instagram and Twitter by following @WVUWBB.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 14, 2015) – The West Virginia University women’s basketball team was predicted to finish sixth in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll, as voted by the league’s head coaches.
Baylor (80) received eight of 10 first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams). Second-place Texas (70) and third-place Oklahoma (69) each also received a first-place vote and were separated by just one point. Iowa State (48) and TCU (47) rounded out the top five and were also a point apart. West Virginia (40) was picked sixth, followed by K-State (36), Oklahoma State (27), Texas Tech (18) and Kansas (15).
The Mountaineers are coming off a 23-15 (7-11) campaign in 2014-15. West Virginia reached the championship game of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) before falling, 62-60, to UCLA in Charleston, West Virginia. Last season, WVU set a program record with 19 victories at home.
Senior Bria Holmes returns to lead the Mountaineers this season. The senior co-captain recorded 716 points as a junior, which ranks second all-time in a single-season at WVU. She was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection the past two seasons and was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team earlier this month.
Also returning to the Mountaineers is junior co-captain Lanay Montgomery. The Pittsburgh native led the Big 12 and ranked 10th in the NCAA with 124 blocks last season, also averaging 7.7 rebounds and 4.7 points in 38 games last season. Other returners include sophomore Teana Muldrow (6.9 ppg) and senior Jessica Morton (5.6 ppg). Forward Kayla Montgomery is out for the season due to a torn ACL.
West Virginia has 11 total newcomers on this year’s squad. There are three transfers and eight freshman on the Mountaineers’ roster for 2015-16.
The Mountaineers tip off the season with the annual Haunted Hoops exhibition game on Saturday, October 31, against Shepherd. Regular season action starts on Saturday, November 14, when WVU hosts Delaware State. Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now with reserved seats available for $75. Fans can purchase tickets by visitingWVUGAME.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-WVU GAME.
2015-16 Big 12 Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Baylor (8) 80
2. Texas (1) 70
3. Oklahoma (1) 69
4. Iowa State 48
5. TCU 47
6. West Virginia 40
7. K-State 36
8. Oklahoma State 27
9. Texas Tech 18
10. Kansas 15
Keep up with West Virginia women’s basketball on Instagram and Twitter by following @WVUWBB.
