ACC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll Announced

Story Links

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Virginia women’s basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the 2011-12 Atlantic Coast Conference preseason poll. The predictions, announced Tuesday (Oct. 18), were made by a vote of the Blue Ribbon Panel, consisting of national and local media, as well as school representatives.

Miami was picked as the preseason favorite and earned 30 of a possible 40 first-place votes. Following Miami to round out the top five of the preseason selections was Duke with 10 first‐place votes, Maryland, Florida State, and Georgia Tech. North Carolina was picked to finish sixth, followed by NC State, Virginia, Boston College, Wake Forest, Clemson and Virginia Tech.

Virginia, under the direction of first-year head coach Joanne Boyle, returns four starters and 10 letterwinners from last year’s team that finished 19-16 overall and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).

The Cavaliers’ season-opener is Friday, Nov. 11 at John Paul Jones Arena (7 p.m.) vs. Appalachian State. UVa hosts one preseason exhibition game on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. vs Alaska Anchorage.

Predicted Order of Finish (First Place Votes)
1. Miami (30)
2. Duke (10)
3. Maryland
4. Florida State
5. Georgia Tech
6. North Carolina
7. NC State
8. Virginia
9. Boston College
10. Wake Forest
11. Clemson
12. Virginia Tech

Preseason Player of the Year
Shenise Johnson, Sr., G, Miami

2011-12 Preseason All-ACC Team
Cierra Bravard, Sr., F, Florida State
Shenise Johnson, Sr., G, Miami
Lynetta Kizer, Sr., C, Maryland
Alyssa Thomas, So., F, Maryland
Riquna Williams, Sr., G, Miami

2011-12 Newcomer Watch List
Elizabeth Williams, Fr., C, Duke
Amber Henson, Fr., F, Duke
Sydney Wallace, Fr., G, Georgia Tech
Brittany Roundtree, Fr., G, North Carolina
Natiece Ford, Fr., G/F, Clemson