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Oct 19, 2004

Bulldogs Picked to Finish Third in Horizon League Preseason Women's Basketball Poll


Oct. 19, 2004

The Butler women's basketball team continues its climb to the top of the Horizon League and people are starting to take notice. The Bulldogs were picked to finish third in the league standings in a preseason poll of the league's coaches, sports information directors and media, released by the league today (Oct. 19). Butler senior Cortney Urquhart also earned preseason "All-Horizon League" second team honors.

Butler, fresh off a 9-7 Horizon League record and tournament semifinals appearance last season, returns nine letterwinners, including Urquhart and "All-Newcomer Team" selection Ellen Hamilton. Coach Beth Couture's team received 174 points in the poll, including being one of only three teams to garner a first-place vote. The 174 points in the poll tied the Bulldogs for third with Detroit, behind defending champion UW-Green Bay (258) and UW-Milwaukee (213).

"It's a great honor to be seen by your peers as one of the top teams in the conference," said Couture, who enters her third season at Butler. "A lot of credit needs to go to those players who have been here these last few years and worked hard to get the program to the place it is today."

Loyola (167), UIC (137), Cleveland State (114), Wright State (96) and Youngstown State (68) rounded out the poll. In last season's poll, the Bulldogs were picked to tie for seventh before tying for fourth in the final league standings, part of the reason the Bulldogs pulled off the 14th-greatest win improvement in Division I last season.

Urquhart earned second-team league honors after posting nearly 10 points and five rebounds per game last season. The 6-2 center scored in double figures on 15 occasions last season and picked up her 500th career rebound in the Bulldogs' final game of the 2003-04 season. Urquhart needs just 169 points to reach the 1000-point milestone.

"We're extremely happy for Cortney," said Couture. "She's worked extremely hard for the last three years and is very deserving of this honor. We're confident that her play on the court this season will justify this preseason recognition."

UW-Green Bay's Abby Scharlow was tabbed as the league's preseason "Player of the Year," joining three Phoenix teammates in earning individual honors.

Butler opens the 2004-05 season Thursday, Nov. 4, with an exhibition game against the Hoosier Lady Stars at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The regular season gets underway Nov. 19 at Kentucky, with the team's home-opener set for Sunday, Nov. 21 against Lewis University.

2004-2005 Preseason Poll
1. UW-Green Bay 258 points (24 first-place votes)
2. UW-Milwaukee 213 (1)
T3. Butler 174 (1)
T3. Detroit 174
5. Loyola 167
6. UIC 137
7. Cleveland State 114
8. Wright State 96
9. Youngstown State 68

Preseason All-Horizon League First Team
Abby Scharlow, UW-Green Bay, G, 5-8, Sr.
Nicole Soulis, UW-Green Bay, F, 6-2, So.
Chrissy Dizon, UIC, G, 5-6, Sr.
Meskhenet Lands, Loyola, G, 5-9, Sr.
Tiffany Mor, UW-Green Bay, F, 6-1, Sr.

Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team
Cortney Urquhart, Butler, C, 6-2, Sr.
Ciara Henderson, Loyola, G, 5-8, Sr.
Nichole Drummond, UW-Milwaukee, F, 5-10, Jr.
Brittney Whiteside, Wright State, G, 5-8, So.
Mary Kulenkamp, UW-Green Bay, G, 5-10, Sr.