SFA Picked 3rd in both SLC Preseason Polls
10/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Southland News Release
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin women's basketball team will be right in the middle of the action entering the season after being tabbed to finish third in the preseason sports information director's and coaches' polls, the league office announce on Wednesday morning.
The Ladyjacks garnered 119 total points in the SID poll behind Central Arkansas and Abilene Christian. SFA was also picked third in the coaches' poll, collecting 117 points.
The Ladyjacks, who were projected second and third in preseason poll's last year, went 12-6 in the conference and finished fourth in conference standings. They went 18-12 overall under the new direction of Head Coach Mark Kellogg.
SFA finished the year with an 11-1 streak after a tough start to the season. They then had to bow out of the Southland Conference tournament after a 78-70 loss to Sam Houston State in the first round.
Jack Nation is excited to see what another season under Coach Kellogg will bring to the Coliseum. He has seven returners to the SFA court, and six fresh faces. Three of those are transfers and three freshmen.
Senior guard Taylor Ross was once again SFA's lone pick in the Preseason All-SLC First Team. The Plfugerville native averaged 16.5 points and 2.25 steal per game in 2015-16.
The much anticipated return of redshirt junior Stevi Parker has Ladyjack fans fired up. The 6-0 forward from Tulsa, was able to only start 14 games last year due to an injury. She was averaging 10.4 points and 7.9 rebounds a game.
Center Adrienne Lewis and forward Danielle Rogers will be back in the paint for their senior year. As well as, returning senior guard Brentney Branch, who led the team with 65 three-pointers last season.
Other returners are sophomore Chanell Hayes and sophomore Kennedy Harris. New in the Ladyjacks purple will be junior transfer Taylor Jackson, sophomore transfer Kia Fisker, and redshirt sophomore transfer Imani Johnson. The rookies on the SFA court will include freshman Alaysia Ready, Lovisa Brunnberg, and Riley Harvey.
The Ladyjacks will open the season on November 13th at 1:00 p.m. on the road in Vermillion, South Dakota. SFA will help christen the new stadium for the South Dakota University Coyotes. To purchase season tickets for the 2016-17 women's basketball season, fans can contact the SFA ticket office at (936) 468-JACK (5225).
2016-17 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE PRESEASON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POLL
Coaches' Poll
Place Team (first place votes)........................ Total
1. Abilene Christian (10).............................. 142
2. Central Arkansas (3)................................ 135
3. Stephen F. Austin.................................... 117
4. Lamar..................................................... 100
5. McNeese.................................................. 86
6. Northwestern State................................... 79
7. Nicholls.................................................... 76
8. Houston Baptist........................................ 68
9. Sam Houston State.................................... 66
10. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi......................... 60
11. New Orleans............................................. 34
12. Southeastern Louisiana............................. 28
13. UIW......................................................... 23
Sports Information Directors' Poll
Place Team (first place votes)........................ Total
1. Abilene Christian (11).............................. 143
2. Central Arkansas (2)................................ 133
3. Stephen F. Austin.................................... 119
4. McNeese.................................................. 94
T5. Lamar....................................................... 92
T5. Northwestern State................................... 92
6. Nicholls.................................................... 75
7. Houston Baptist........................................ 73
8. Sam Houston State.................................... 60
9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi......................... 57
10. New Orleans............................................. 34
11. Southeastern Louisiana............................. 23
12. UIW......................................................... 19
2016-17 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE PRESEASON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
First Team
Name Cl. Pos. School
Alexis Mason Sr. G Abilene Christian
Maggie Proffitt Sr. G Central Arkansas
Taylor Ross Sr. G Stephen F. Austin
Suzzy Dimba Sr. F Abilene Christian
Randi Brown Jr. G New Orleans
Second Team
Name Cl. Pos. School
Brianna Mullins Sr. G Central Arkansas
Sydney Shelstead Sr. F Abilene Christian
Beatrice Attura Sr. G Northwestern State
Chastadie Barrs So. G Lamar
Lizzy Dimba Sr. F Abilene Christian
-SFA-
