SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? After winning its ninth Southern Conference regular season title a season ago, Chattanooga has been selected by the league’s coaches as the favorite to win the SoCon championship in 2008. The coaches also selected first and second team preseason all-conference squads.
The Lady Mocs, under the direction of seventh-year head coach Frank Reed, received six of a possible eight first place votes to go along with 48 total points. College of Charleston and Georgia Southern tied for second place in the balloting with 38 points apiece. The Cougars also garnered one first-place vote. Charleston finished 2007 in second place during the regular season while Georgia Southern was the tournament runner-up.
Elon received 23 points and placed fourth, while defending tournament champions Furman earned 21 points and one first-place vote to grab the fifth spot. Western Carolina (20), Appalachian State (19) and UNC Greensboro (17) rounded out the poll. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
Chattanooga, Elon and Western Carolina each had four players selected to the all-conference teams while Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern and UNC Greensboro each had three players earn preseason all-SoCon honors. Furman had two players selected
Georgia Southern is the first SoCon team to hit the diamond in 2008, kicking off the season with a doubleheader at Savannah State on Thursday, February 7 at 4:00 p.m. The conference portion of the schedule begins on March 16 when Western Carolina travels to Appalachian State for a three-game weekend series.
Coaches’ Preseason Poll
1. Chattanooga (6) 48
2t. College of Charleston (1) 38
2t. Georgia Southern 38
4. Elon 23
5. Furman (1) 21
6. Western Carolina 20
7. Appalachian State 19
8. UNC Greensboro 17
Coaches’ Preseason All-Conference
First Team
P Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga
P Terri Mesko, College of Charleston
C Jaimie Rao, Elon
C Leslie Furness, UNC Greensboro
1B Lauren Ross, Western Carolina
2B Amber Shifflett, College of Charleston
SS Tracey Dahlen, Elon
3B Abby Robertson, Furman
OF Laci Upchurch, Chattanooga
OF Lindsey Hopkins, Georgia Southern
OF Brittany Ausley, UNC Greensboro
OF Mary Greenway, UNC Greensboro
DP Shannon Howard, College of Charleston
UT Debbie Ziegler, Elon
Second Team
P Lana Mackey, Furman
P Lauren Ross, Western Carolina
C Jenny Side, Georgia Southern
1B Samantha Russo, Georgia Southern
2B Brittany Gaston, Appalachian State
SS Tia Blosser, Chattanooga
3B Stephanie Beatty, Western Carolina
OF Ashley Gaston, Appalachian State
OF Natalie Willis, Appalachian State
OF Brandi Jones, Elon
DP Mollie Fowler, Western Carolina
UT Tara Tembey, Chattanooga