Posted: Oct 18, 2022
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – It's a familiar spot for the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team as they were picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference in Tuesday's preseason poll released at the conference's annual Basketball Media Day at the Evansville DoubleTree Hotel and the Ford Center.
It's the first time since 2011-12 that the Golden Eagles were picked to win the league outright and the 13th time Tech was the favorite in the poll. Tech is looking for its 19th OVC regular-season title and 10th tournament crown as the 2022-23 season opens at the end of the month. The OVC Preseason Poll and teams are voted on by the league's coaches and sports information contacts.
The Golden Eagles also earned three spots on the preseason squad. After a year's absence due to injury, graduate guard Jordan Brock made a return on the team as she enters her sixth and final year of competition. Brock, Tech's all-time leader in 3-pointers, averaged 11.8 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from the field in the 2020-21 campaign.
Senior guard Jada Guinn also earned a nod on the preseason squad as the Oak Ridge native averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 assists per game in 2021-22. Junior forward Anna Walker was the Golden Eagles' third representative on the team as the Cleveland, Tenn., native averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds.
It's not a surprise to see the Golden Eagles in the top spot as Tech finished second in the regular season last year with a 21-11 record, 14-4 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles reached the championship game of the OVC Tournament last season in the Ford Center, then earned the conference's automatic berth into the WNIT.
With Brock returning for another campaign, the Golden Eagles also return Guinn, Walker and Peyton Carter among its starting players. The veteran group also includes returnees Maaliya Owens, Harley Paynter, Olivia Koontz, Ansley Hall and D.J. McFarlane.
While Tech lost an experienced group in Mackenzie Coleman, Anna Jones, Kesha Brady and Megan Clark, the Golden Eagles reloaded with redshirt freshman Reagan Hurst, transfer Kiera Hill and true freshmen Cayla Cowart, Reghan Grimes and Jennifer Sullivan – all bringing their own unique skills to the table and completing an exciting Tennessee Tech roster for the 2022-23 season.
Tech received 11 first-place votes of the 20 cast to lead the poll with 147 points. UT Martin (four first-place votes) and Little Rock (four first-place votes) were second and third, while Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State (one first-place vote) rounded out the top five. SIUE, Southern Indiana, Southeast Missouri, Lindenwood and Morehead State completed the preseason poll.
Eastern Illinois senior Lariah Washington (15.6 ppg, 47.3 FG pct.) was named the OVC Preseason Player of the Year.
Fans will be able to get an early look at the Tech women on October 22 as the team hosts its annual Biscuits and Basketball and Maintain the Tradition events at the Eblen Center. More details will be announced soon.
The Golden Eagle women will host Stephens College on October 27 in an exhibition game as part of the Purple Palooza doubleheader event. Tech then opens the regular season on November 7 against Ball State.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
