@MiamiWBB at ACC Women's Basketball Media Day

@MiamiWBB at ACC Women's Basketball Media Day

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Miami Hurricanes head women’s basketball coach Katie Meier, senior Krystal Saunders and junior Suriya McGuire spent Wednesday at ACC Women’s Basketball Media Day. The Hurricanes were picked to finish ninth in the league by both the Blue Ribbon Panel and the league’s 15 head coaches.

Duke was chosen as the preseason favorite in both polls; ACC newcomer Notre Dame placed second in the voting, followed by Maryland and North Carolina. Florida State and Georgia Tech tied for fifth in the Blue Ribbon Panel balloting, while Syracuse was seventh, Virginia eighth and Miami ninth. NC State (10th), Boston College (11th), Wake Forest (12th), Virginia Tech (13th), Clemson (14th) and Pittsburgh (15th) rounded out the poll.

As Meier and her staff begin their ninth year at the helm in Coral Gables, the Hurricanes begin the quest for their fifth consecutive 20-win season and fourth straight NCAA postseason berth.

The 2013-14 roster features five newcomers, including three freshmen—Adrienne Motley, Jessica Thomas and Nigia Greene — and two juniors —Jassany Williams and Necole Sterling. Williams came to Miami from Auburn after the 2012 season and will play her first game for the Hurricanes this season. Sterling, a Los Angeles native, joins the Hurricanes after two years at Gulf Coast Community College.

Miami returns two starters from last year’s squad in Saunders and McGuire. The remainder of the Hurricanes’ roster includes senior Maria Brown, junior Michelle Woods, sophomore Keyona Hayes and sophomore Caprice Dennis.

The Hurricanes participated in the first session of the day from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., making stops for segments with Fox Sports, ACC Digital Network, Raycom, and with ESPN’s Debbie Antontelli.

To follow the Canes as they make their rounds In Greensboro, be sure to follow @MiamiWBB on Twitter, where pictures and notes will be posted throughout the day.

Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason Poll

1. Duke (843 points, 39 first-place votes)

2. Notre Dame (794 points, 14 first-place votes)

3. Maryland (745 points, 3 first-place votes)

4. North Carolina (715 points, 1 first-place vote)

T5. Georgia Tech (527 points)

T5. Florida State (527 points)

7. Syracuse (517 points)

8. Virginia (470 points)

9. Miami (419 points)

10. NC State (363 points)

11. Boston College (304 points)

12. Wake Forest (263 points)

13. Virginia Tech (213 points)

14. Clemson (159 points)

15. Pittsburgh (102 points)

 

Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason All-ACC Team

Chelsea Gray, Sr., G, Duke

Tricia Liston, Sr., G,  Duke

Elizabeth Williams, Jr., F/C, Duke

Tyaunna Marshall, Sr.,  G, Georgia Tech

Alyssa Thomas, Sr., F,  Maryland

Natalie Achonwa, Sr., F, Notre Dame

Kayla McBride, Sr., G, Notre Dame

Xylina McDaniel, So., F, North Carolina

Ataira Franklin, Sr., G, Virginia

Chelsea Douglas, Sr., G, Wake Forest

 

Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason Player of the Year

Alyssa Thomas, Maryland

 

Blue Ribbon Panel Newcomer Watch List

Oderah Chidom, Fr., F, Duke

Kendall McCravey-Cooper, Fr., F/C, Duke

Kaela Davis, Fr., G, Georgia Tech

Lexie Brown, Fr., G, Maryland

Diamond DeShields, Fr., G,  North Carolina

Taya Reimer, Fr.  F, Notre Dame

**an extra member was added to the team due to a tie in voting

 

ACC Coaches Preseason Poll

1.  Duke (220 points, 10 first place votes)

2. Notre Dame (211 points, 5 first place votes)

3. Maryland (195 points)

4.  North Carolina (182 points)

5.  Georgia Tech (146 points)

6.  Florida State (137 points)

7. Syracuse (133 points)

8.  Virginia (128 points)

9.  Miami (103 points)

10. NC State (90 points)

11. Boston College (75 points)

12. Wake Forest (68 points)

13. Virginia Tech (58 points)

14. Clemson (34 points)

15. Pittsburgh (20 points)

 

Coaches Preseason All-ACC Team

Chelsea Gray, Sr., G, Duke

Tricia Liston, Sr., G, Duke

Elizabeth Williams, Jr.,  F/C, Duke

Tyaunna Marshall, Sr., G, Georgia Tech

Alyssa Thomas, Sr., F, Maryland

Jewell Loyd, So., G, Notre Dame

Kayla McBride, Sr., G, Notre Dame

Diamond DeShields, Fr., G, North Carolina

Xylina McDaniel, So., F, North Carolina

Ataira Franklin, Sr., G, Virginia

 

 

Coaches Preseason Player of the Year

Alyssa Thomas, Maryland

 

Coaches Newcomer Watch List

Oderah Chidom, Fr., F, Duke

Morgan Jones, Fr. G, Florida State

Kaela Davis, Fr., G, Georgia Tech

Diamond DeShields, Fr., G North Carolina

Taya Reimer, Fr., F, Notre Dame