WAC Preseason Coaches Poll
WAC Preseason Media Poll

DENVER, Colo. - The Western Athletic Conference announced its women's basketball preseason polls and all-WAC teams Tuesday with the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine picked to finish seventh in the coaches poll and eighth in the media poll.

 

Three-time defending WAC champions, Fresno State, was voted as the favorites to win the WAC by both the media and coaches, while the Bulldogs' senior guard Jaleesa Ross selected as the league's preseason Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.

 

Fresno State went a perfect 16-0 in conference last season and received 63 points and seven first place votes in the coaches poll and 158 points and 14 first place votes in the media poll. Louisiana Tech, who captured last year's WAC Tournament, was chosen in both polls to finish in second place with 57 points and two first place votes by the coaches with the media giving146 points and four first place votes . Nevada was picked to finish third with 50 points and 117 points in the coaches and media poll respectively.

 

In the coaches poll, Idaho pulled 41 votes for fourth place, Boise State garnered 30 points for fifth place, followed by Boise State with 30 points for sixth and New Mexico State with 24. Hawai'i came in with 23 points for seventh place with Utah State getting 19 points for eighth place and San Jose State rounded out the conference with 10 points.

 

In the media poll, Boise State earned enough points for fourth place with 92 points and Idaho was right behind the Broncos with 91 points. New Mexico State closely followed with 87 points for sixth place and Utah State pulled 54 points for seventh. Hawai'i garnered 46 points for eighth place and San Jose State received 19 points.

 

The Rainbow Wahine did not have a player selected to either first or second team in the coaches or media poll. Last season, UH posted a 10-20 record overall while going 4-12 in conference action under first year head coach Dana Takahara-Dias. After graduating just one senior last season, the Rainbow Wahine return a veteran squad with 10 letterwinners, including three starters.

 

The 'Bows open their season with a pair of exhibition games against Chaminade (Nov. 4) and BYU-Hawai'i (Nov. 11) and officially tip-off their season hosting the Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic against CS Northridge at 5:00 pm on Nov. 19.

 

 

                                                                                                            -UH-