USF Tabbed Second in The American Preseason Poll
PHILADELPHIA, OCT. 16, 2017 – Junior
Kitija Laksa was a preseason all-conference selection for the second-straight year and the USF women's basketball program, entering its 18
th season under head coach
Jose Fernandez, was picked second behind defending league champion and final four team UConn in the preseason coaches' poll released Monday at the American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Media Day in Philadelphia.
Ranked as high as 19 in preseason Top-25 polls, USF received one first place vote among conference coaches and was firmly voted second in the league with 110 points, the program's highest poll total in league history. The Bulls were well ahead of third place pick Temple with 98 points. UConn, the unanimous preseason favorite, received 11 first place votes and 121 points and USF received the remaining first place vote.
"We finished runner-up in the conference tournament last season and we return four starters," Fernandez said. "We've put together a tough non-conference schedule to prepare us for league play. I look forward to seeing our players grow and battle on the court this season."
Laksa (Riga, Latvia) was voted preseason first-team for the second consecutive year. Laksa was third in the league in scoring with 19.2 points as a sophomore and turned in six, 30-point games, including three 34-point performances, one in conference play.
Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) was named to the preseason all-conference second-team, her first preseason honor of her career. Jespersen was named the league's Most Improved Player last season after turning in 10 double-doubles and nine 20-plus point performances this season, including a career-high 26 points on four different occasions. Prior to her junior campaign, Jespersen had one double-double under her belt and had only reached double figures 11 times in her career. Jespersen improved her scoring output by plus 9.3 points per game, rebounding by 4.6 per game and assists by 1.0 per game.
UConn's Napheesa Collier was voted the preseason American Conference Player of the Year and she joined teammates Katie Lou Samuelson, Gabby Williams, and UCF's Aliyah Gregory to complete the first team first team.
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (
Twitter |
Facebook |
Instagram).
USF notched its fifth consecutive 20-win season. The Bulls tallied its 20th win in their 24th contest of the season which tied the fastest any program has reached 20 wins. This is the eighth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all eight 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team reached 20 wins in 24 games, and still currently holds the best record for most wins in a season (27).
USF has made 13 postseason tournament appearances and had five NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 17 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to eight 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.
– #GoBulls –
