NEW ORLEANS – After coming off an 11-20 season, University of South Alabama women's basketball was tabbed to finish seventh in the 2017-18 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Thursday. Senior center Chyna Ellis was picked to the preseason all-conference first-team and senior guard Genesis Perrymond was selected to the third-team.
 
Ellis is coming into the 2017-18 campaign off the best season of her career. Last season, Ellis set the single-season record for blocks with 93, reached the top spot in program history in blocks 213 and was the Jags' leading scorer averaging 10.5 points per game last season. Ellis was also team's leading rebounder bringing down eight boards per game.
 
For Perrymond, this marks her first-career Sun Belt honor. Last season, Perrymond averaged 6.9 ppg, and led the team with 89 assists and 47 steals. Perrymond is one of four returning starters and logged the most minutes played on the team last season.
 
2017-18 Conference Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
first-place votes in parentheses
 
1. UTA (7) - 136 pts
2. Little Rock (2) - 125 pts
3. Troy (2) - 119 pts
4. Louisiana (1) - 116 pts
5. Texas State - 89 pts
6. Arkansas State - 71 pts
7. South Alabama - 70 pts
8. Georgia State - 65 pts
9. Appalachian State - 50 pts
10. Georgia Southern - 48 pts
11. Coastal Carolina - 33 pts
12. ULM - 14 pts
 
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Madi Story (Appalachian State, Guard, Sr.)
Simone Fields (Louisiana, Forward, Sr.)
Chyna Ellis (South Alabama, Center, Sr.)
Cierra Johnson (UTA, Guard, Sr.)
Rebekah VanDijk (UTA, Center, Sr.)
 
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Jada Lewis (Georgia State, Guard, So.)
Gabriella Cortez (ULM, Forward, Sr.)
Taeler Deer (Texas State, Guard, Sr.)
Toshua Leavitt (Texas State, Guard, Jr.)
Amanda Mendoza (Troy, Guard, Sr.)
 
Preseason All-Conference Third Team
Madison Newby (Georgia State, Guard, So.)
Jasmine Thomas (Louisiana, Guard, So.)
Genesis Perrymond (South Alabama, Guard, Sr.)
Crystal Allen (UTA, Guard, Sr.)
Ericka May (Texas State, Forward, Sr.)
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Rebekah VanDijk (UTA, Center, Sr.)
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
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