Marshall University Athletics
Women's Basketball Picked Third in Preseason MAC East Poll
10/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball Picked Third in Preseason MAC East Poll
10/22/2003
CLEVELAND -- Marshall University was selected to finish in third place in the Mid-American Conference's East Division, the highest pick from the MAC News Media Association since the Thundering Herd rejoined the conference in 1997, announced the league office from the annual women's basketball media day held at Gund Arena on Thursday.
Head coach Royce Chadwick addressed a gathered media contigent, as did preseason all-MAC East selections Catie Knable (Floyd Knobs, Ind.) and Sikeetha Shepard-Hall (Houston, Texas).
"There's a tremendous buzz in Huntington," Chadwick said, referring to his 2003-04 team. "We've got enough talent to make some noise.
"We're excited (to be ranked third in the preseason poll), add that to the Womenscollegehoops.com breakout team selection, and our next step is to listen to Bob Pruett's philosophy and play for championships."
Knable, named to the honorable mention all-MAC team last season, and Shepard-Hall, an All-MAC Freshman Team member in 2002-03, are poised to take the Herd to the next level.
"We know what Coach Chadwick expects of us, and we're ready to go," Shepard-Hall said.
Marshall won its first MAC tournament game last season to advance to Gund Arena for the first time. The Herd has three returning seniors, including Knable, but also fields a youth-laden team with several freshmen who are expected to compete for substantial playing time.
"If we grow up and get team chemistry, we can be a good team in March," Chadwick said.
Marshall opens its exhibition season on Nov. 1 with a 12:30 p.m. game versus WVU Tech at the Cam Henderson Center. The regular season commences with the Fifth Third MU Classic on Nov. 21, as the Herd takes on Morgan State at 5:30 p.m.