Horizon League Release in pdf.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Junior Yar Shayok (Ottawa, ON/Hillcrest) was named to the second team and the University of Detroit Mercy women's basketball squad was picked to finish seventh as the conference released its preseason poll on Wednesday afternoon live on the Horizon League Network.

The Titans totaled 141 votes – including one first-place tally – in the poll, which included the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members.

Green Bay was the preseason favorite with 29 first-place votes and 299 points, followed by Cleveland State (238), Wright State (212) and Butler (197).  UIC was picked fifth with 186 votes, Milwaukee sixth at 177, while rounding out the poll was Loyola (88), Valparaiso (64) and Youngstown State (48).

Shayok earns a preseason accolade for the second-straight year as she was a second team honoree last season. As a sophomore, Shayok led the Horizon League and was 27th in the nation in rebounding at 10.2 per game, while also finishing second on the team in scoring at 9.3 ppg. She recorded 10 double-doubles a year ago and grabbed double digits in rebounding in 17 games.

She combined that offensive output with defense as she led the Titans with 46 steals and 32 blocks en route to being named to the HL All-Defensive Team. She also finished second in the HL in defensive rebounds corralling 6.9 per game.

Youngstown State's Brandi Brown headlines the first team as she was tabbed the conference's preseason Player of the Year. Also on the first team is Julie Wojta of Green Bay, Wright State's Molly Fox, Cleveland State's Shalonda Winton and UIC's Jasmine Bailey.

Joining Shayok on the second team is Milwaukee's Angela Rodriguez, UIC's Shamiea Green, Loyola's Monica Albano and Betsy Adams of Valparaiso.

The Titans have been working hard in practice for the past few weeks and will open the preseason next Saturday, Oct. 29, with a Titan doubleheader as the women host Madonna at 4:30 with the men to follow against the Crusaders at 7:00 p.m.

2011-12 PRESEASON VOTING
Rank    School (1st)                    Points
1.           Green Bay (29)               299
2.           Cleveland State              238
3.            Wright State                    212
4.            Butler                               197
5.            UIC                                   186
6.            Milwaukee                       177
7.            Detroit (1)                        141
8.            Loyola                                88
9.            Valparaiso                        64
10.          Youngstown State           48

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brandi Brown, Youngstown State      

ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Brandi Brown, Youngstown State
Julie Wojta, Green Bay
Molly Fox, Wright State
Shalonda Winton, Cleveland State
Jasmine Bailey, UIC

SECOND TEAM
Angela Rodriguez, Milwaukee
Yar Shayok, Detroit
Shamiea Green, UIC
Monica Albano, Loyola
Betsy Adams, Valparaiso