After making its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, the ETSU women’s basketball team was picked to repeat again in 2009-10, as the Atlantic Sun Preseason Polls were released on Wednesday afternoon. In individual voting, senior Siarre Evans was one of three Lady Buccaneer players to land on the all-conference team after being tabbed Preseason Player of the Year.

“It’s an honor to be selected as one of the top teams in the conference, but it also puts more pressure on you as every team will be gunning for us again this season,” added head ETSU women’s basketball coach Karen Kemp.

“Each year the A-Sun continues to get stronger, and I am looking forward to another competitive season.”

Once again the Lady Bucs will be tested by Florida Gulf Coast – the reigning A-Sun regular season champion – as both ETSU and the Eagles return key players from last season’s successful squads.

The Eagles edged out the Lady Bucs in both the coaches and media polls; however, it was by the slimmest of margins. Gulf Coast captured the top spot in both polls by a margin of six total votes – 112 to 111 in the coaches’ poll and 199 to 194 by the media. The Eagles received six first-place nods in the coaches’ poll, compared to the four tallies by ETSU.

Also in the coaches’ poll, Jacksonville – last season’s A-Sun Tournament runner-up – was picked fourth with 71 votes, while Mercer capped off the top five with 66 votes. Meanwhile, the Dolphins and Bears kept the same format in the media poll; by staying Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. Belmont rounded out the top three spots with one first-place selection and 97 total votes in the coaches’ poll.

In the coaches’ poll, Jacksonville – last season’s A-Sun Tournament runner-up – was picked fourth with 71 votes, while Mercer capped off the top five with 66 votes.

Joining Evans on the all-conference team were teammates and fellow senior leaders Latisha Belcher and TaRonda Wiles. The three Lady Buccaneers standouts were the most all-conference selections by any team, while FGCU was the only other school to post multiple athletes on the preseason list – Chelsea Lyles and Adrianne McNally.

In addition to these five, Jacksonville placed Courtney Jackson, Mercer posted LaToya Jackson, Greteya Kelley of Kennesaw State, Chelsea McMillan from USC Upstate, and Belmont’s Amber Rockwell rounded out the final five spots.

Evans, McNally and Rockwell were all unanimous selections.

“I am very proud to see our three seniors receive all-conference honors, and have Siarre be named Preseason Player of the Year,” said Kemp.

“These three student-athletes have played a huge role in our recent success, and all three of these players are well-deserving of this honor.

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