Oakland women picked second in Summit League poll
ELMHURST Ill. – The Oakland women’s basketball team earned two first-place votes and was picked second (356 points) in The Summit League Preseason Poll, voted on by the league’s 10 head coaches and media members and released by the league office on Wednesday. Bethany Watterworth earned Preseason All-Summit League first team honors, while Sharise Calhoun took second team honors.
“We are certainly honored to have gained the respect of our peers with so many teams in the mix this year in Summit League,” said Oakland head coach Beckie Francis. “While it’s nice to be recognized by others, we still have to prove ourselves on the court.”
After a run to The Summit League Championship game last season, the Golden Grizzlies were tabbed second behind Oral Roberts, which earned 24 first-place votes and topped the poll with 411 points. Last year’s league tournament champion, South Dakota State, earned the only other first place vote and came in third in the poll with 328 points.
IPFW was fourth in the poll with 280 points, followed by North Dakota State at 257. UMKC (181) was sixth, followed by league newcomers South Dakota (159). Southern Utah (146) was tabbed for the final tournament spot at No. 8, followed by IUPUI (99) and Western Illinois (68).
Watterworth was the second leading scorer in The Summit League last season at 17.8 points per-game. The 5-foot-11-inch forward has been an All-Summit League selection in each of her first two years at OU. Watterworth shot 45.1 percent from the field and reached double-digits in 31 games as a sophomore, while leading Oakland in assists (3.6) and finishing second on the team in rebounds (6.8).
Calhoun was the second leading scorer on the OU team, averaging 12.8 points per game and earned a spot on The Summit League All-Tournament Team. The 5-foot-5-inch guard from Toledo, Ohio led Oakland with 58 steals and was an All-Summit League honorable mention selection. Calhoun was the top free-throw shooter on the team hitting 83.7 percent from the free-throw line, which ranked 45th in the NCAA. She was also second on the team in assists (2.7).
“Bethany and Sharise were both an integral part of our team last year and have continued to lead our squad as team captains this season,” added Francis. “It is good to see that their hard work is gaining the attention of the other teams around the league.”
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or players in the preseason polls.
The Golden Grizzlies tipoff the season on the road in the nation’s capital against George Mason and American on Nov. 13 and 15 respectively. The first home game of the new season is on Nov. 17.
Place Team Points First Place Votes
1. Oral Roberts 411 24
2. Oakland 356 2
3. South Dakota State 328 1
4. IPFW 280
5. North Dakota State 257
6. UMKC 181
7. South Dakota 159
8. Southern Utah 146
9. IUPUI 99
10. Western Illinois 68
Preseason All-Summit League
First Team
Jaci Bigham, G, ORU
Kevi Luper, G, ORU – Preseason Player of the Year
Abby Plucker, F, NDSU
Jennie Sunnarborg, F, SDSU
Stephanie Rosado, F, IPFW
Bethany Watterworth, F, Oakland
Second Team
Katie Birkel, G, NDSU
Sharise Calhoun, G, Oakland
Amber Hegge, F, USD
Kerah Nelson, F, IUPUI
Jordan Pyle, F, ORU
Category: Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, Oakland University
