ASHEVILLE, N.C. --- Chattanooga women's basketball was well-represented in the Southern Conference's Preseason All-Conference Team heading into the new season, as both Raven Thompson and Jada Guinn received recognition, the league office announced Wednesday at the Southern Conference Media Day luncheon.
The duo received Preseason All-Conference honors following a vote that took place amongst the league's coaches. Thompson, the reigning SoCon Freshman of the Year and SoCon Tournament MVP, returns to the Mocs after averaging 14.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last year. Guinn, a new face to the 2023-24 Chattanooga squad, was the OVC Tournament MVP last year as she helped guide Tennessee Tech to an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The recognition for the defending Southern Conference Tournament champions didn't end there, as UTC was picked to finish first in the SoCon Preseason Media Poll. The Mocs were also picked to finish second in the Preseason Coaches Poll. This comes after Shawn Poppie led UTC to a 20-13 (9-5 SoCon) record in his inaugural year with the team in 2022-23.
Coach Poppie and Chattanooga women's basketball are set to tip off their season on Monday, November 6 with a game against King University at 11 a.m. ET at McKenzie Arena. Fans will have the opportunity to see the team before the season-opener next Monday, October 30 at the team's annual Boo & Gold preseason Halloween Event hosted at the Roundhouse.
SOCON PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Rachael Rose, Wofford – G, Jr. (Preseason Player of the Year)
Enjulina Gonzalez, Mercer – G, So.
Kendall Folley, ETSU – G, Jr.
Raven Thompson, Chattanooga – F, So.
Tate Walters, Furman – G, R-Jr.
Nevaeh Brown, ETSU – G, Jr.
Masyn Marchbanks, Samford – G, So.
Jada Guinn, Chattanooga – G, Gr.
Isys Grady, UNCG – G/F, Jr.
Mya Love, Western Carolina – G, Sr.
SOCON PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Team – Total Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Chattanooga – 88 pts (5)
2. ETSU – 85 pts (5)
3. Wofford – 84 pts (3)
4. Mercer – 68 pts
5. Samford – 43 pts
6. UNCG – 42 pts
7. Furman – 37 pts
8. Western Carolina – 21 pts
SOCON PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team – Total Points (First-Place Votes)
1. ETSU – 39 pts (4)
2. Chattanooga – 38 pts (2)
3. Mercer – 31 pts (1)
4. Wofford – 26 pts
5. Furman – 20 pts
6. UNCG – 19 pts
7. Samford – 17 pts
8. Western Carolina – 6 pts
50 SEASONS OF CHATTANOOGA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The 2023 season for the Chattanooga women's basketball team marks a major landmark for the program and the university, as UTC women's basketball officially celebrates its 50th season of competition as a university sponsored athletic program. Following the adoption of the Title IX legislation back in 1972, UTC added women's basketball, tennis and volleyball programs to its roster of athletic teams, bringing on five decades of history and success for each of the teams. Chattanooga WBB will be putting on multiple promotions and content pieces throughout the 2023-24 to celebrate the program's history, culminating in the team hosting its 50th Season Celebration and Reunion during the Mocs' February 3 matchup against Furman at McKenzie Arena.
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