By Jonathan Caudle, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After a phenomenal 2018-19 campaign, Tennessee Tech women's basketball was tabbed to finish second in the 2019-20 Ohio Valley Conference Media poll, announced by the league office on Friday. The Golden Eagles received a total of 156 points in the poll.
The OVC will release its official preseason poll and All-OVC team, which is voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors, on Tuesday, October 22 during the OVC's annual Media Day in Evansville, Indiana.
Belmont senior forward Ellie Harmeyer was named OVC Women's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year.
Reigning OVC regular season and tournament champion Belmont was picked in the top spot with 175 points (11 first-place votes). Following Tech in third is last year's tournament runner-up, UT Martin, with 155 and a first-place vote. Morehead State was picked fourth in the poll, earning 122 points and capturing the final first-place nod. Austin Peay slotted in fifth earning 119 points.
Jacksonville State was tabbed to finish sixth with 92 points, followed by Southeast Missouri with 87, SIUE with 82, and Murray State in ninth with 78 points. Eastern Illinois (50), Tennessee State (32), and Eastern Kentucky (22) rounded out spots 10-12, respectively.
After posting its first 20-plus win season since 2010-11, the Golden Eagles return a multitude of talent in the new campaign. The Golden Eagles return nine players from last year's record-setting team, led by seniors Akia Harris (9 ppg) and Anacia Wilkinson (7.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.8 bpg), in addition to the team's leading scorer from last season in junior Jordan Brock (11.5 ppg), and another key starter for Tech in junior Abby Buckner (6.3 ppg).
2019-20 Media OVC Preseason Women's Predicted Order of Finish
1. Belmont (11 first-place votes) - 175 points
2. Tennessee Tech (2) - 156
3. UT Martin (1) - 155
4. Morehead State (1) - 122
5. Austin Peay - 119
6. Jacksonville State - 92
7. Southeast Missouri - 87
8. SIUE - 82
9. Murray State - 78
10. Eastern Illinois - 50
11. Tennessee State - 32
12. Eastern Kentucky – 22
OVC Women's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year: Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont
Photo by Jonathan Caudle
