Oct. 23, 2008

New York, N.Y. - The Georgetown University women's basketball squad was selected 11th of 16 teams in the 2008-09 Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll. The poll was announced Wednesday at the league's annual media day at ESPN Zone in New York City. The Hoyas received 77 points in the voting which was done by the league's 16 head coaches.

Last season, under Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy, the Hoyas finished 15-14 overall with a 5-11 in the BIG EAST. GU lost three key players to graduation, but the team returns a solid group of upperclassmen along with seven incoming freshmen. The 2008-09 freshmen make up Williams-Flournoy's best recruiting class in her tenure at GU. They were ranked sixth nationally by Mike Flynn's Blue Star Report and 18th nationally by hoopgurlz.com.

With all 16 head coaches and select players in attendance, BIG EAST Women's Basketball Media Day once again proved to be one of the most well attended by both print and electronic media. Remarks were made by BIG EAST Commissioner Michael Tranghese and Marquette Head Coach Terri Mitchell spoke on behalf of the league's coaches.

While UConn topped the preseason poll with 224 points, Rutgers (201) and Louisville (200) followed closely behind each receiving first place votes. Notre Dame (182), Pittsburgh (162) and Syracuse (156) rounded out the top six while Marquette (147), DePaul (132), West Virginia (109) and Villanova (85) completed the top 10.

The Hoyas will open the season on Nov. 16 at Jacksonville State, the squad will host its home opener on Nov. 22 versus Central Michigan at McDonough Arena.