University of Tennessee Athletics
Media Picks Lady Vols Second In SEC Poll
October 21, 2014 | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southeastern Conference released its preseason media poll for women's basketball on Tuesday, and Tennessee has been picked to finish second in the league in 2014-15.
The Lady Vols, who were 29-6, finished second in the SEC and won the league tournament a year ago, received 191 points in voting by a select panel of both SEC and national media members. Holly Warlick's squad returns four starters and eight active letterwinners.
South Carolina, the 2013-14 regular-season champion, received 210 poll points and was picked to defend its crown. The Gamecocks return all five starters.
Texas A&M (179), Kentucky (154), Vanderbilt (150), Georgia (132) and LSU (122) round out the top half the league. Mississippi State (108), Florida (96), Auburn (83), Arkansas (77), Missouri (77), Alabama (74) and Ole Miss (21) round out the bottom half.
South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell was tabbed as SEC Women's Basketball Player of the Year with 11 votes, while Mitchell's teammate Aleighsa Welch and Tennessee's Isabelle Harrison also received votes. Harrison was a first-team All-SEC selection a year ago and was voted the SEC Tournament MVP.
Joining Mitchell, Welch and Harrison on the All-SEC Team are Martha Alwal (Mississippi State) and Courtney Walker (Texas A&M).
Points were compiled on a 14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Each media member also voted for a five-player All-SEC Team and the Preseason SEC Player of the Year.
The SEC Women's Basketball Coaches Poll will be released the week prior to the season.
Order of Finish
1. South Carolina ( 210)
2. Tennessee (191)
3. Texas A&M (179)
4. Kentucky (154)
5. Vanderbilt (150)
6. Georgia (132)
7. LSU (122)
8. Mississippi State (108)
9. Florida (96)
10. Auburn (83)
T11. Arkansas (77)
T11. Missouri (77)
13. Alabama (74)
14. Ole Miss (21)
Player of the Year
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
Preseason All-SEC
Martha Alwal, Mississippi State
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
Aleighsa Welch, South Carolina
Isabelle Harrison, Tennessee
Courtney Walker, Texas A&M
