The Cal Poly women’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the Big West Conference by coaches and seventh by members of the media at the Big West Conference media day Wednesday.
UC Riverside was tabbed to win the conference for the third straight year. The Highlanders return their top seven scorers from last year’s third-place team, including 2006-07 Big West Player of the Year Kemie Nkele. The senior forward missed most of last year after suffering a season-ending injury just six games into the campaign.
UC Santa Barbara, which won the conference last year with a 15-1 mark, was picked to finish second in both polls.
UC Riverside was the only team to have two players named to the preseason all-conference team, with senior guard Seyram Gbewonyo joining Nkele. Also on the six-woman team were seniors Haylee Donaghe of UC Davis, Karina Figueroa of Long Beach State, Jenna Green of UC Santa Barbara and Toni Thomas of Cal State Fullerton.
The Mustangs return three starters from last year’s 13-19 team, including All-Big West first team selection Megan Harrison.
Cal Poly, which tied for fifth in the Big West last season with an 8-8 conference mark, made a run in the Big West tournament before bowing out to eventual tournament champion UC Santa Barbara in the semifinal.
The Mustangs tip off their season at 1 p.m. Nov. 8 when they host Cal State Monterey Bay in an exhibition at Mott Gym.
Editor’s Note: For a full preview of the women’s basketball season, see the Mustang Daily in the coming week.