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GREENSBORO, N.C. The Virginia women’s basketball team was picked fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s annual preseason media poll, released Wednesday by the league office. North Carolina was selected as the preseason favorite in a vote of the newly formed Blue Ribbon Panel.
The Tar Heels, who received 15 of 42 first-place votes, were followed by Maryland and Duke. The Cavaliers received two first-place votes.
Junior Monica Wright was one of five players named to the 2008-09 preseason all-ACC team that also includes Duke’s Chante Black, Maryland’s Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver and North Carolina’s Rashanda McCants. Toliver was selected as the preseason player of the year while teammate Lynetta Kizer was picked as the preseason rookie of the year.
An Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American last season after leading the Cavaliers in scoring (17.6 points per game) and steals (2.4 per game), Wright was a member of the All-ACC second team, ACC all-defensive team and ACC all-tournament team as a sophomore.
The Cavaliers return four starters from a year ago on a team that finished with a 24-10 record, tied for third place in the ACC and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Blue Ribbon Panel, beginning in the 2008-09 season, consists of national and local media members, as well as school representatives. In addition to the league’s preseason poll, the panelists will vote on weekly honors and postseason all-conference teams.
Virginia will play an exhibition game Nov. 7 at John Paul Jones Arena before officially opening the 2008-09 campaign at home against High Point Nov. 14.
Season tickets for Virginia women’s basketball are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling (800) 542-8821 or in person at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2008-09 Predicted Order of Finish
1. North Carolina (15)
2. Maryland (11)
3. Duke (14)
4. Virginia (2)
5. Florida State
6. Georgia Tech
7. Boston College
8. NC State
9. Clemson
10. Virginia Tech
11. Miami
12. Wake Forest
2008-09 Preseason All-ACC Team
Chante Black, Duke
Marissa Coleman, Maryland
Rashanda McCants, North Carolina
Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Monica Wright, Virginia
Preseason Player of the Year: Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Preseason Rookie of the Year: Lynetta Kizer, Maryland