Lady Mocs Ashlen Dewart (44) runs a drill during practice at the Chattem Practice Facility.With six seniors among 10 players returning from last season’s Southern Conference regular-season and tournament championship squad, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team was the obvious preseason pick to win the league this season.
The SoCon announced the preseason media and coaches’ polls Wednesday, and UTC, which went 19-1 in the league last season and 29-4 overall, was picked to finish first in both. In addition, senior center Ashlen Dewart was the coaches’ pick for preseason player of the year.
Joining Dewart on the 10-player All-SoCon team is senior forward Taylor Hall.
“It’s definitely a big honor, but I’m not letting it mean too much to me — it is a preseason pick,” Dewart said. “While it is an honor and I’m definitely thankful for it, I still am looking toward the season and our team goals that we want to accomplish.”
High expectations are nothing new for Lady Mocs coach Jim Foster, the 35-year coaching veteran that was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame this summer. He’s had success at St. Joseph’s, Vanderbilt and Ohio State, amassing 783 career wins.