Monica Wright Named Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year; Cavaliers Tabbed Sixth in ACC

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Oct. 26, 2006

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Virginia Cavaliers have been selected to finish sixth of the 12 teams for the 2006-07 Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Basketball season, as determined by a vote of the media, sports information directors, and head coaches.

Additionally, Virginia freshman Monica Wright (Woodbridge, Va.) has been tabbed the Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year. A two-time Street & Smith’s All-American as well as USA Today Junior All-American from Forest Park H.S., Wight was ranked as the No. 2 guard and No. 11 player overall in the nation in the Class of 2006, according to Blue Star Basketball. A two-time first team All-State selection, Wright was also named the Associated Press Group AAA Player of the Year.

“Monica is a great guard,” UVa head coach Debbie Ryan said. “She’s going to make a big impact on our program from day one. This is just a great honor for her.”

Defending national champion Maryland, the recipient of 25 of the 38 first-place votes, was selected as the top preseason pick.

The North Carolina Tar Heels, who received 13 first-place votes, followed the Terrapins in the balloting, while Duke finished third. NC State and Florida State followed in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Boston College was seventh, followed by Georgia Tech, Miami, and Virginia Tech. Wake Forest and Clemson rounded out the poll.

North Carolina’s Ivory Latta and Erlana Larkins, Maryland’s Crystal Langhorne and Marissa Coleman, and Duke’s Lindsey Harding were named to the five-member preseason All-Conference team. Latta was also selected as the league’s preseason Player of the Year.

The Cavaliers host Team Concept in exhibition action on Tuesday, October 31 at 7 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena. Fans are encouraged to attend the game in their Halloween costumes. In its home opener, Virginia hosts longtime intra-state rival Old Dominion at the JPJA on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

2006-07 ACC Preseason Poll
1. Maryland (25)
2. North Carolina (13)
3. Duke
4. NC State
5. Florida State
6. VIRGINIA
7. Boston College
8. Georgia Tech
9. Miami
10. Virginia Tech
11. Wake Forest
12. Clemson

2006-07 Preseason All-ACC Team
Ivory Latta, North Carolina
Erlana Larkins, North Carolina
Crystal Langhorne, Maryland
Marissa Coleman, Maryland
Lindsey Harding, Duke

Preseason Player of the Year
Ivory Latta, North Carolina

Preseason Rookie of the Year
Monica Wright, Virginia