Women's Hoops Picked Fifth in Preseason Poll
10/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Charlotte, N.C. - The 2014-15 Coastal Carolina women's basketball team was voted to finish fifth in the Big South regular season by the league's head coaches and media members, according to an announcement by the league on Monday at the annual Big South Basketball Media Day in Charlotte, N.C.
Liberty is the league's preseason favorite, garnering five first-place votes and finishing with 113 total points. High Point, the 2013-14 regular season champions, was selected to finish second, earning three first-place votes and 110 total points. Kaylah Keys of High Point was also voted the league's Preseason Women's Basketball Player of the Year.
Winthrop, the defending Big South champions, finished third in the voting with 104 points, and received the remaining three first-place votes. Campbell placed fourth in the voting with 89 points, followed by the Chanticleers in fifth with 64 points. Gardner-Webb garnered 56 points to come in sixth, while 55 points for UNC Asheville earned it seventh place. Presbyterian finished in eighth with 54 points, and Radford's 35 points were good enough for ninth. Longwood and Charleston Southern rounded out the preseason poll with 30 and 16 points, respectively.
Coastal Carolina's AJ Jordan was named first-team Preseason All-Big South alongside Keys, High Points' Stacia Robertson, Liberty's Ashley Rininger and Winthrop's Erica Williams.
Campbell's Kiera Gaines, Longwood's Daeisha Brown, Winthrop's Schaquilla Nunn, UNC Asheville's Paige Love and Radford's Ayana Avery comprise the second-team Preseason All-Big South members.
The Chanticleers are entering their second season under the direction of head coach Jaida Williams, who led Coastal to a 15-16 overall record in 2013-14, including a 10-10 mark in Big South Conference play. Williams also led Coastal to a 106-71 win over Charleston Southern in the Big South Tournament, and saw the Chanticleers finish the season averaging a program-record 71.9 points per game.
Coastal is returning two starters from last season in Jordan and Karsen Sims. Olivia Carlton marks Coastal's third returnee who saw minutes last year.
Ced Gibson, Khadejah Wilkerson and Stephanie Isaacs, all of whom redshirted for the Chants last year, will make their Coastal debuts this season.
Chanticleer fans can catch their first look at the 2014-15 Coastal Carolina women's squad on Friday, November 14, when it opens the season at home against UNC Pembroke. Opening tip inside The HTC Center is set for 5 pm.
Season tickets for both men's and women's basketball are on sale now and can be purchased online at GoCCUSports.com or by calling 843-347-8499.
2014-15 Big South Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Rank Team (First-Place Votes) Points
1. Liberty (5) 113
2. High Point (3) 110
3. Winthrop (3) 104
4. Campbell 89
5. Coastal Carolina 64
6. Gardner-Webb 56
7. UNC Asheville 55
8. Presbyterian 54
9. Radford 35
10. Longwood 30
11. Charleston Southern 16
