Nov. 4, 2009

The Great West Conference announced this past Monday (Nov. 2) the 2009 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll with The University of Texas-Pan American ranked fifth.

UTPA was selected fifth out of the seven schools in the Great West Conference as they received 17 points. North Dakota was predicted to take the inaugural Great West Women's Basketball Championship in March with 42 points.

Chicago State and Utah Valley were voted to finish tied for second with 40 points each, South Dakota was voted to finish fourth (28), Houston Baptist (16) sixth, and NJIT in last with 13 points.

"It is an honor for the returners that we were picked somewhat in the middle, considering all the changes made this season. The girls have had some success here and the coaches in the conference recognize that," said head women's basketball coach Denny Downing. "We just need to make sure we stay that course and continue getting better."

UTPA's Rose Esther Jean and Aleeya Grigsby were also named to the Great West Preseason Honorable Mention team along with CSU's Tressa Beckel and Elana Wroten, UND's Jossy Bergan, USD's Amber Hegge, HBU's Raquel Jones and Jamie Spriggs, UVU's Asumi Nakayama, and NJIT's Kahinde and Taiwo Oyelola.

Utah Valley's Jamie McMurray-Smith was chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year.

Rose Esther Jean

UTPA's Rose Esther Jean appeared in 28 contests for the Lady Broncs, led the squad in steals and blocks, and ranked in the top-10 amongst the team in 15 different statistical categories. Jean concluded her junior campaign with 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Aleeya Grigsby saw action in all 30 contests for the Lady Broncs and ranked in the top-10 in 11 different statistical categories. The Nacogdoches, Texas native concluded her junior campaign averaging 4.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game.

The Great West Women's Basketball Championship will take place in Orem, UT on March 11-13, 2010.

UTPA Sports Information