Published: November 05, 2009 03:12 am      

Lady Falcons picked third in WVC poll

FAIRMONT — Despite the loss of four of their top five leading scorers from last season Fairmont State’s Lady Falcons were selected to finish third this year in the 16-team West Virginia Conference.

The league announced its annual preseason coaches’ poll Wednesday.

The 2008-09 runner-up West Liberty University is the preseason favorite to claim the title this season led by junior backcourt mates Tori Hansen and Laura Malernee. Hansen was the player of the year in the WVC last season, while Malernee established an NCAA Division II single-season record with 146 made 3-pointers. The Lady Hilltoppers, who received nine first-place votes, finished 24-7 overall and 17-3 in the league last year.

Defending league champion Charleston (26-7, 17-3) was tabbed to finish second followed by FSU (18-11, 14-6), Seton Hill (18-11, 14-6) and Pitt-Johnstown (18-12, 14-6). The Golden Eagles received three first-place votes in the poll, while Seton Hill, which returns its top 10 players from last season, garnered two first-place votes and FSU received one.

“The last time we won the league (2005) we were picked third so that’s a good omen,” said Lady Falcon coach Steve McDonald with a chuckle. “On paper that’s a bit of a surprise to me because we do have nine new players this season and we’re going to have four new starters.

“On the other hand it’s not too surprising from the standpoint that I think there’s respect in our league for our program.”

West Virginia Wesleyan (20-10, 15-5) heads the second five in the league’s preseason poll. The Lady Bobcats are followed by Concord (13-15, 11-9), West Virginia State (15-14, 12-8), Shepherd (15-14, 11-9) and Wheeling Jesuit (12-15, 8-12).

The final five consists of Alderson-Broaddus (14-14, 11-9), Glenville State (9-19, 7-13), Davis & Elkins (5-22, 3-17), Ohio Valley (8-20, 4-16) and Bluefield State (4-23, 2-18).

Salem International (0-28, 0-20) is not eligible for the 2009-10 WVC title because of NCAA sanctions.

Fairmont State’s attack will be led by senior preseason All-America guard Ashley Vavrek, who finished fourth in the conference in scoring last season (17.8), third in made 3-pointers (91) and first in 3-point field goal percentage (44.6).

She’s expected to be joined in the starting lineup by junior transfers Lauren Gilbert and Rachel Murray. Gilbert is a 5-7 guard/forward from Bridgeport who transferred from California (Pa.) University, while Murray is a 6-3 center, who transferred from the Community College of Rhode Island.

Look for true freshman Kaitlin Snyder of Sissonville to be FSU’s point guard, while redshirt freshman guard Lauren Streicher will play the three. Senior forward Samantha Guell, who started 28 of Fairmont’s 29 games last season and averaged 3.8 points and 5.0 rebounds, will be the squad’s sixth player.

To date FSU’s women have had 16 practices and one scrimmage and McDonald, who plans to employ much more of an uptempo attack this season, says he’s been pleased with what he’s seen from his team.

“We preach to our players that it’s very important to us to be good in January and February, but we’ve got to get to January with an opportunity to win the league,” said McDonald. “Right now I’d say we’re a little ahead of where I thought we’d be. At the same time, though, we’re nowhere near where we need to be to be highly competitive within the conference.”

The Lady Falcons will open the season Nov. 15 against Bluefield (Va.) College in annual Concord University Lady Lions’ Tip-Off Classic in Athens.