Utah Valley Women’s Basketball Picked To Win WAC In Preseason Coaches’ Poll

OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley women’s basketball team was picked by the WAC coaches to win the conference.

The Wolverines finished the 2019-20 campaign with a 12-16 overall record and a 9-6 mark in conference play. They lost their first game of the WAC Tournament to Seattle.

It’s their second season under head coach Dan Nielson, who returned to the program after spending four seasons as an assistant coach under Cathy Nixon from 2009-13.

Utah Valley received 2 first place votes and 57 points in the coaches’ poll and was picked to finish second by the media, gathering one first place vote and 60 points.

Junior center Josie Williams and junior guard Maria Carvalho were both selected in the preseason All-WAC Teams.

Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Utah Valley (2) – 57 points
2. California Baptist (4) – 55 points
3. Grand Canyon (2) – 47 points
4. New Mexico State (1) – 45 points
5. UT Rio Grande Valley – 44 points
6. Seattle University – 29 points
7. Tarleton State – 23 points
8. Dixie State – 13 points
9. Chicago State – 11 points

Preseason Media Poll

1. California Baptist (5) – 61 points
2. Utah Valley (1) – 60 points
3. UT Rio Grande Valley – 56 points
4. New Mexico State – (1) – 53 points
5. Seattle University – 41 points
6. Grand Canyon (1) – 39 points
7. Tarleton State – 23 points
8. Dixie State – 17 points
9. Chicago State – 10 points

Day 1 of practice is in the books! #GoUVU #UVUWBB pic.twitter.com/XjIud1kshl

— UVU Women's Basketball (@UVUwbb) October 15, 2020

Preseason Coaches’ All-WAC Teams

First Team

Ane Olaeta, California Baptist
Amara Graham, UT Rio Grande Valley
Josie Williams, Utah Valley
Maria Carvalho, Utah Valley
Aaliyah Prince, New Mexico State

Second Team

Laura Piera, Grand Canyon
Courtney Murphy, Seattle U
Soufia Inoussa, New Mexico State
Alexa Hoy, Tarleton State
McKenzi Williams, Seattle U

Preseason Player of the Year: Ane Olaeta, California Baptist

Preseason Media All-WAC Teams

First Team

Ane Olaeta, California Baptist
Amara Graham, UT Rio Grande Valley
Maria Carvalho, Utah Valley
Aaliyah Prince, New Mexico State
Britney Thomas, California Baptist

Carvalho and Williams named to Preseason All-WAC teams. Wolverines tabbed first by coaches, second by media. #GoUVU #UVU #UVUhoops

Story: https://t.co/GmrvQHWeFX pic.twitter.com/ZbBOPCwMq4

— UVU Women's Basketball (@UVUwbb) October 27, 2020

Second Team

Josie Williams, Utah Valley
Courtney Murphy, Seattle U
Georgia Dale, California Baptist
Caitlyn Harper, California Baptist
Soufia Inoussa, New Mexico State

Utah Valley’s conference schedule was released but have not announced their non-conference schedule. The Wolverines are scheduled to open the conference slate on Friday, January 8 on the road against California Baptist.