The Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara were selected to claim their third consecutive, 14th overall, Big West Conference women's basketball regular season title, as voted on by the media. The Gauchos captured 10 of a possible 20 first-place votes and 162 total points. They were closely followed by second place UC Davis, who received six first-place nods and 155 points. Rounding out the top three was Cal Poly with three first-place selections and a point total of 146.
The defending Big West Conference champions, who registered a near-perfect 30-2 mark against its conference foes over the past two seasons, return just one starter and eight letterwinners to the 2009-10 roster. Second-year head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will have the challenge of constructing a new lineup to help the Gauchos maintain their rich tradition and claim their third straight regular season and tournament title. Senior Jordan Franey, a member of the 2009-10 Big West Preseason All-Conference team, looks to lead the charge as the team's top returner in both scoring (8.0 PPG) and rebounding (4.3 RPG). She will be joined by junior transfer standout Mekia Valentine, who comes to UC Santa Barbara after two years at Wake Forest where she led the Demon Deacons with 44 blocks and averaged 6.0 points per game in 2007.
Following a season in which UC Davis featured a roster filled with young players, including seven freshmen, the Aggies have one of the most veteran teams in the league this year. In fact, the Aggies are the only team in the conference to welcome back five starters for the 2009-10 season. Leading the way for the Aggies are Paige Mintun, Lauren Juric and Kasey Riecks. Mintun led the Aggies in both scoring (13.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg) in 2008-09 and Juric is coming off a stellar season during which she was named Big West Freshman of the Year and collected All-Big West Honorable Mention accolades.
Cal Poly is coming off its best season during the program's 35-year history. Last year the Mustangs established a new program record with a .656 winning percentage (21-11) and the 21 victories accumulated matched the 1981-82 Mustang squad for the highest single-season victory total in school history. Cal Poly's 11 losses ranked as the second-lowest amount in program history while the Mustangs finished the year 10 games above a .500 winning percentage for the first time. The Mustangs, who finished third in the conference standings for just the second time in program history, also set new Big West school records for victories (11), fewest losses (5) and overall winning percentage (.688). They welcome back three starters that includes 2009-10 Preseason All-Conference selection Kristina Santiago. The junior forward is primed to take over the lead role as she is the top Cal Poly stat returner in almost every category, including scoring (15.2 ppg), rebounds (5.3) and minutes played (25.8).
UC Riverside, who placed fourth with one first-place vote and 112 total points, is the lone team in the league with no starters returning. The Highlanders welcome three letterwinners and six newcomers to their lineup. Also added to the mix are junior transfers Rheya and Rhaya Neabors who played their first two seasons at Arizona before joining the UC Riverside roster. The twin sisters sat out during the 2008-09 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Garnering the fifth slot in the preseason poll with 99 points is Long Beach State, who begins a new era under first-year head coach Jody Wynn. Pacific earned the sixth spot after acquiring 87 points and was followed by Cal State Fullerton (59), Cal State Northridge (41) and UC Irvine (39).
The media also voted on a six-player preseason all-conference team that included Haylee Donaghe (UC Davis), Karina Figueroa (Long Beach State), Whitney Fields (Long Beach State), Jordan Franey (UC Santa Barbara), Paige Mintun (UC Davis) and Kristina Santiago (Cal Poly). Mintun and Santiago both landed spots on the 2008-09 All-Big West First Team, while Fields picked up second team honors.
Media Poll Results
1. UC Santa Barbara (10) - 162
2. UC Davis (6) - 155
3. Cal Poly (3) - 146
4. UC Riverside (1) - 112
5. Long Beach State - 99
6. Pacific - 87
7. Cal State Fullerton - 59
8. Cal State Northridge - 41
9. UC Irvine - 39
( ) First-place votes
2009-10 Preseason All-Conference Team
Haylee Donaghe, UC Davis, Wing, Senior
Karina Figueroa, Long Beach State, Guard, Senior
Whitney Fields, Long Beach State, Forward, Senior
Jordan Franey, UC Santa Barbara, Guard/Forward, Senior
Paige Mintun, UC Davis, Post, Junior
Kristina Santiago, Cal Poly, Forward, Junior