Friday, October 26, 2001

Presbyterian College Picked Second for the 2001-02 
South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball Title

HICKORY, N.C. – The Blue Hose of Presbyterian College were picked second for the 2001-021 South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball title following a vote of the league’s coaches, it was announced earlier this week. The announcement came at the annual SAC Basketball Press Conference held at the Holiday Inn Select in Hickory, N.C.

In a very tight race, Catawba College, the defending SAC regular season and tournament champion, picked up three first-place votes for 55 points, edging out Presbyterian College, which had 50 points, and Wingate, with 49. Wingate also received two first-place votes.

Presbyterian returns preseason All-SAC selection, Toni Leopard and sophomore Bonnie Werner, who was a member of last year’s All-Freshman team. In addition, PC returns nine letterwinners and three starters from last season’s 22-8 team which finished tied for second for the SAC regular season title.

Catawba returns just four players from last year’s 25-5 team, including Ella Pasola and Danyell Locklear, who was a member of the All-Freshman Team last season.

Wingate returns two starters from last year’s team, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs expect to be strong in the post with senior center Elizabeth Biedrycki and senior forward Katie Leattner.

Mars Hill was picked to finish fourth overall with 42 points, but the Lady Lions did pick up one first-place vote. Mars Hill, under first-year coach Mandy Mattox, returns preseason All-SAC guard Denise Shelton, a former SAC Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year.

Lenoir-Rhyne received two first-place votes and 41 total points to finish fifth in the preseason poll. First-year coach Karen Barefoot has all five starters from last year returning, including preseason All-SAC selection Tracy Naidas.

Carson-Newman received 21 points to finish sixth. The Lady Eagles will also have a first-year coach in Dean Walsh. The Lady Indians do return last year’s Freshman of the Year in forward Staci Dunn.

Tusculum received 20 points. The Pioneers return preseason All-SAC center Whitley Campbell, who led the SAC in rebounding last year.

Newberry, under first-year head coach Tommy Love, was picked to finish eighth.