Oct. 29, 2008
IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Davis women's basketball team, coming off a championship appearance at last year's Big West Tournament, has been picked to finish third by the league's head coaches and in a tie for second by the media, according to preseason polls released as part of the conference's media day on Wednesday at Irvine.
Additionally, junior Haylee Donaghe, an All-Big West Conference second-team selection last season, was named to the 2008-09 Preseason All-Conference Team selected by media members.
UC Riverside, which was two-time defending Big West champion before losing to the Aggies in the conference semifinals last season, was picked by both the coaches and media to reclaim the league title. Perennial power UC Santa Barbara, which beat UC Davis in the Big West final to advance to the NCAA Tournament, was voted second by the head coaches and to finish in a tie with UC Davis for second by the media.
The Aggies received a pair of first-place votes in both preseason polls. UC Davis returns two startersn - Donaghe and post Paige Mintun - from last season's team that compiled a 19-12 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the Big West. It advanced to the Women's National Invitational Tournament in just its first year of NCAA Division I status.
UC Davis head coach Sandy Simpson said preseason polls are often partially based on previous years' results but said it's nice to be recognized among the league's elite teams.
"It's a sign of respect and we appreciate the acknowledgment by the media and head coaches," said Simpson, the league's Coach of the Year last year, "but by the same token you have to play the season out."
Donaghe, who was recently granted a clock extension by the NCAA and now has two years of eligibility remaining, had a breakout season in 2007-08, averaging 12.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg. and ranking among the national leaders by averaging 2.7 steals. She joins five other top players in the league with the preseason accolade.
"It's a well-deserved honor for Haylee," said Simpson. "We appreciate the media acknowledging how well she represents our conference and our team."
Simpson and Donaghe represented UC Davis at the annual media day on Wednesday.
UC Davis will play a pair of exhibitions beginning with Australian Showtime on Nov. 6 at The Pavilion. The regular season tips off on Nov. 14 at Southern Utah.
BIG WEST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLLS
Coaches
1. UC Riverside (5), 60
2. UC Santa Barbara (2), 55
3. UC DAVIS (2), 47
4. Pacific, 44
5. Cal Poly, 35
6. Cal State Fullerton, 34
7. Long Beach State, 25
8. UC Irvine, 14
9. Cal State Northridge,10
Media
1. UC Riverside (4), 89
T2. UC Santa Barbara (2), 83
T2. UC DAVIS (2), 83
4. Cal State Fullerton, 56
5. Long Beach State, 51
6. Pacific, 49
7. Cal Poly, 42
8. UC Irvine, 21
9. Cal State Northridge, 16
BIG WEST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Haylee Donaghe, UC DAVIS, W, Jr.
Karina Figueroa, Long Beach State, G, Sr.
Seyram Gbewonyo, UC Riverside,G, Sr.
Jenna Green, UC Santa Barbara, C, Sr.
Kemie Nkele, UC Riverside, F, Sr.
Toni Thomas, Cal State Fullerton, F, Sr.
