The Anderson College women top the 2006-2007 preseason poll as voted on by CVAC head basketball coaches for the third straight year.  During his first season, Anderson University women’s head basketball coach Jeff Dow led the Lady Trojans to a record of 27-5 (18-2 CVAC), a second straight CVAC regular-season title, a third straight CVAC Tournament title, and a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. “We would like to use the momentum we gained last season as a springboard,” Dow states. “The transition will be easier this year. The players responded well last year. They adapted to a completely different system than what they were accustomed to. That’s part of the reason we’re so optimistic about this season. As coaches, we know the skills our players have and where we can put them in positions to succeed. I think we can hit the ground running a little faster.” 

At 83.5 points per game, the Lady Trojans led the nation in scoring last season for the second time in the past three years.  Anderson will be led by senior All-American and CVAC Player of the Year candidate Deidra Langston, who averaged 18.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season. Langston needs 521 points to reach 2,000 points for her career.

Barton College takes the polls second spot, by returning 12 players from a 23-8 team that finished second in the CVAC at 17-3 and advanced to the first round of the NCAA tournament. Three starters will be joined by a talented cast of returnees and newcomers this season as the Lady Bulldogs look to build on last year’s success. The 2006-07 Barton edition will be comprised of four seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and three freshman. Seniors Jo Denevan, Gina Harshman, Veronica Johnson, and Adrienne Walker will be counted on for their leadership on and off the court.

“Our young ladies bring a great deal of talent to the court,” 19^th-year Barton head coach Wendee Saintsing said. “We have added talent in the guard spots and have an experienced frontcourt, along with added depth at each position. This group will challenge each other for playing time and will push each other to achieve their highest potential.”

Pfeiffer women’s basketball team has climbed five spots from last year’s preseason coaches’ poll to fill the third position.  Under the direction of second year head basketball coach Heather Macy, the team finished 2005-06 with its best finish since the 2002 season with a 14-15 (11-9 CVAC) record.  This year’s team returns four starters including All-Conference and All-Tournament performer Tamara Clay.  Clay ended the season ranked fifth in the nation and first in the CVAC in steals per game.  In addition to the defensive pressure that Clay provided, she was also in the top ten in scoring in the CVAC, while leading Pfeiffer in points, steals, and rebounds.

Rounding out the lady's poll 4-11 was: Belmont Abbey, Mount Olive, Erskine, Limestone, Lees-McRae & St. Andrews tied, Queens, and Coker respectively. 

CVAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

2006-07 CVAC “Preseason Players to Watch” List

(As selected by the member institutions)

Name:                    School:         Year:            Highlights:

Deidra Langston,       Anderson       Sr.      2005-06 1^st Team All-CVAC

Mikala Fogle-Wilson   Anderson       Jr.      Guard averaged 13.7 PPG off the bench

Jo Denevan,             Barton           Sr.      2005-06 2^nd Team All CVAC

Kim Butts                Barton           Jr.      Guard averaged 8.6 PPG, 3.3 AGG

Amy Mulnix              Belmont Abbey         So.     6’2 Center

Hannah Lunt            Belmont Abbey         Fr.      6’1 Forward

India Elliot               Coker            Sr.      Team Captain

Tara Nelson             Coker            Sr.     

Kristy Vaughn           Erskine         So.     6’0 Center

Lisa Jackson            Erskine          Sr.      5’6 Guard

Cortney Furr            Lees-McRae  So.               PG Started 20 of 28 games

Monica Adams          Limestone      Jr.      All-CVAC honorable mention, 13.6 PPG

Tiffany Jones           Limestone      Jr.      Guard averaged 9.9 PPG

Keona Corley            Mount Olive    Jr.      Holds school single-game assists record

Tomeka Prichard       Mount Olive    So.     2005-06 CVAC Freshman of the Year

Tamara Clay            Pfeiffer          Sr.      05-06 2^nd Team All CVAC, 5^th in NCAA steals

Phylicia Turner         Queens         Sr.      5’5 Guard averaged 14 PPG
Ciera Brown             Queens         Jr.      6’1 Center averaged 7 PPG & 7 RPG

Karen Foggie            St. Andrews   Sr.      05-06 All-CVAC Honorable Mention

Danielle Norman        St. Andrews   Jr.     5’11 Transfer post player