IRVING — Conference USA announced its Preseason Women’s Basketball Poll on Wednesday and UTSA, despite picking up a first-place vote, was selected to finish ninth for the upcoming season. The Roadrunners, who finished 14-17 overall a year ago with a 4-12 mark in league play, received 70 points.
Middle Tennessee was chosen as the preseason favorite with 181 points and six first-place votes, while C-USA newcomer Western Kentucky came in a close second with 179 and five. Southern Miss, UTEP and Charlotte round out the top five. The Golden Eagles and Miners each earned one first-place vote.
The Blue Raiders went 29-5 last year en route to claiming both the circuit's regular season and tournament championships in their inaugural season in the league.
Western Kentucky was well represented on the preseason all-conference team, as Chastity Gooch was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year and she was joined by teammates Alexis Govan and Kendall Noble on the squad. Chelsee Black (UAB), Whitney Frazier (Louisiana Tech), Olivia Jones (Middle Tennessee), Tamara Jones (Southern Miss) and Lefty Webster (Charlotte) also earned spots on the preseason team.
UTSA will open its 2014-15 slate on Nov. 1 with an exhibition contest against McMurry.