Posted at 1:34 p.m., Tuesday, January 30, 2007
UH's Tausaga picked WAC preseason softball top player
Advertiser Staff
The University of Hawaii softball team was picked to finish second in the in the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and Rainbow Wahine senior Tyleen Tausaga was named the Preseason Player of the Year.The poll was released Tuesday.
Fresno State received five of the seven first-place votes and was picked to finish first. Hawaii received one first-place vote.
Nevada was picked third, followed in order by New Mexico State, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech and Utah State.
Four Hawaii players were named to the Preseason All-WAC Team: Tausaga at first base, Kaulana Gold (outfield), Kate Robinson (utility) and Justine Smethurst (at-large pitcher).
Tausaga led the WAC last season with 10 home runs, and finished second in the conference with a .373 batting average.
The Rainbow Wahine will open the 2007 season on Feb. 8 in the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic.
2007 WAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team Total
1. Fresno State 35
2. Hawai'i 30
3. Nevada 28
4. NMSU 21
5. SJSU 14
6. La. Tech 10
7. Utah State 9
Preseason All-WAC Team
C Nichole Willis, Sr., Fresno State
1B Tyleen Tausaga, Sr., Hawai'i
2B Jenna Cervantez, Jr., Fresno State
2B Rochelle Sandberg, Jr., Louisiana Tech
3B Stephanie Herrera, Jr., New Mexico State
SS Haley Perkins, So., Fresno State
OF Emma Barnes, So., Louisiana Tech
OF Shannon Garvin, Sr., Fresno State
OF Kaulana Gould, Jr., Hawai'i
P Robin Mackin, So., Fresno State
UT Kate Robinson, Jr., Hawai'i
DP Stacey Lien, So., New Mexico State
At-Large Jordan McPherson, Jr., P, Nevada
At-Large Justine Smethurst, So., P, Hawai'i
Player of the Year: Tyleen Tausaga, Sr., 1B, Hawai'i
Pitcher of the Year: Robin Mackin, So., Fresno State
