NEW ORLEANS ? University of South Alabama junior forward Tiara Smith was selected to the 2008 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team as announced by the league office on Monday. Last season, Smith led the Jags with 11 goals and 28 points. Her six assists were the second-highest total on the team.
“This is a tribute to Tiara’s conference play,” head coach Mike Varga said. “I think we’ve just seen a glimpse of what Tiara’s capable of doing.”
Smith was the only Jag to receive preseason honors, which were voted on by the league’s 12 head coaches.
“I have a lot of confidence in her,” said Varga. “I think she’s going to be a handful for other teams this year. She’s a strong, fast and physical player, and I anticipate a good year from her.”
South Alabama was picked to finish seventh in the 2008 Preseason Sun Belt Poll for the second consecutive year. The Jags return 18 letterwinners and eight starters from last season’s 9-8-3 team.
Denver was picked to win the conference with 141 total votes. The Pioneers received nine of the 11 possible first place votes from the coaches on Monday, followed by North Texas with 128 points and two first place votes.
North Texas midfielder Kendall Juett was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year in the conference on Monday. Juett was joined by her teammate Brittany Cleveland on the 12-member squad, along with USA’s Smith, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Kelli Jestes and Callie Oliver, Middle Tennessee’s Jennifer Threlkeld, Denver’s Lizzy Carlson, Taryn Hemmings, Mackenzie Snyder and Jessi Keller, Florida Atlantic’s Janeke Simpkins and Western Kentucky’s Morgan Thomas.
The Jags open the 2008 season Friday against LSU in Baton Rouge, La. with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
2008 Preseason Sun Belt Poll
(First Place Votes in Parentheses)
Team ? Points
- Denver (9) ? 141
- North Texas (2) ? 128
- Western Kentucky ? 115
- Middle Tennessee ? 109
- Florida Atlantic ? 97
- Louisiana-Lafayette ? 78
- South Alabama ? 69
- UALR ? 53
- Florida International ? 52
- Louisiana-Monroe ? 37
- Arkansas State ? 33
- Troy ? 22
Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
As voted on by the league’s 12 head coaches.
Forwards
Kelli Jestes (ULL, So.)
Callie Oliver (ULL, Sr.)
Jennifer Threlkeld (MT, Jr.)
Brittany Cleveland (NT, Sr.)
Tiara Smith (USA, Jr.)
Midfielders
Lizzy Carlson (DU, Jr.)
Taryn Hemmings (DU, Sr.)
Kendall Juett (NT, So.)
Defenders
Jessi Keller (DU, Sr.)
Janeke Simpkins (FAU, Sr.)
Morgan Thomas (WKU, Jr.)
Goalkeepers
Mackenzie Snyder (DU, Jr.)
Preseason Player of the Year
Kendall Juett (NT, So.)
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
