Lady Mocs Edge Western Carolina to Take Top Spot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Members of the Southern Conference media have selected the Chattanooga Lady Mocs as the preseason favorite to win the league’s women’s basketball championship in 2008-09, mirroring the selection made by the SoCon head coaches, at the league’s annual Media Day in Charlotte, N.C.

Chattanooga claimed 12-of-15 first-place votes in the balloting and 162 points overall to edge Western Carolina, which received the remaining three first-place nods. The Lady Catamounts’ 152 points were 20 more than third-place Davidson (132).

Samford (117) earned the fourth-highest total in the poll while Georgia Southern (101) was chosen to finish fifth and College of Charleston (87) to place sixth.

UNC Greensboro (77), Furman (54) and Wofford (49) earned the seventh, eighth and ninth spots, respectively, as Appalachian State (35) and Elon (24) rounded out the poll.

The Southern Conference season begins on Friday, Nov. 14 with six teams in action. The 2009 Southern Conference Tournament will be held March 5-9 at the McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.

2008-09 SoCon Women’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll

Place     School (1^st)                        Points

1.           Chattanooga (12)                   162

2.           Western Carolina (3)              152

3.           Davidson                              132

4.           Samford                               117

5.           Georgia Southern                  101

6.           College of Charleston             87

7.           UNC Greensboro                    77

8.           Furman                                  54

9.           Wofford                                49

10.         Appalachian State                  35

11.         Elon                                      24