Leo Garcia

Women's Basketball 10/24/2022 12:11:00 PM Ryan Smith, Athletic Communications Coordinator

Javelina women's basketball slotted sixth in LSC Preseason Poll

Sophomore Mia Rivers was chosen as the team's preseason player to watch

RICHARDSON, Texas — On Monday, the Lone Star Conference released its annual preseason poll, with the Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball program slotted sixth and receiving 408 points, while sophomore Mia Rivers was recognized as the team's preseason player to watch.

"Our biggest goal every single day is just to go 1-0," said coach Michael Madrid. "To get better every single day, regardless of what preseason rankings are. We just want to improve so our goal everyday when we step on the court is to become the best basketball team we can become. We're looking forward to the year and are excited about the experience we have returning as well as the players that we've added to the mix and are just looking forward to seeing where we're at when the seasons over."

The Javelinas were picked sixth following a season in which they made the LSC Tournament for the first time since 2019 as the eight-seed, boasting a 17-11 regular record, in which they went 10-6 inside conference play.

The squad features 10 returners, including Rivers, who was a 2021-22 All-LSC Honorable Mention selection after averaging 7.5 points per game and having the eighth-best assist total in Javelina history, posting 116 dimes on the year. Rivers also led the team in steals with 44 and free throws, knocking down 71 from the charity stripe.

Along with Rivers, the Javs bring back eight student-athletes who received starts in the previous campaign as seniors Brianna Pena and Mia Cherry, junior Georgia Ohiaeri, sophomores Veyda Lake, Devon Williams, Janessa Payne, and Jayde Tshritter, all featured in the starting five at one point. Additionally, newcomers Shelby Ray, Bella Sipowicz, and Alyssa O' Malley look to provide an immediate impact.

The voters picked West Texas A&M to repeat as conference champions, receiving 612 total points and 31 first-place nods. Perennial powerhouse Lubbock Christian was slotted second with four-first place votes and 557 total points, while Texas Woman's was selected third with 538 points, as four selected them as their preseason favorites.

The 2022-23 LSC basketball schedule will feature 16 women's teams in two divisions. Each team will play a double round-robin schedule within their division. Additionally, teams will play eight crossover competitions against teams from the opposite division for a total of 22 conference games.

The LSC Basketball Championships will feature an eight-team field in 2023 with seeding based on the 22 conference games. The divisional winners will receive the top two seeds in the tournament. The championships are set to take place March 2-3-4-5, 2023, at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

To keep up-to-date with Javelina Women's Basketball, follow the program on Facebook /JavelinaWBB or Twitter @Javelina_WBB. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network.
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Players Mentioned

#10 Mia Rivers: G; 5' 6"; Freshman

#35 Janessa Payne: G/F; 5' 11"; Freshman

#41 Veyda Lake: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

#23 Devon Williams: F; 6' 2"; Freshman

#3 Brianna Pena: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#00 Mia Cherry: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#20 Georgia Ohiaeri: G/F; 6' 0"; Junior

#1 Shelby Ray: G/F; 6' 2"; Freshman

#2 Alyssa O'Malley: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#32 Bella Sipowicz: F; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Mia Rivers
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G

#35 Janessa Payne
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: G/F

#41 Veyda Lake
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F

#23 Devon Williams
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: F

#3 Brianna Pena
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#00 Mia Cherry
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#20 Georgia Ohiaeri
: 6' 0"; Junior
: G/F

#1 Shelby Ray
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G/F

#2 Alyssa O'Malley
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#32 Bella Sipowicz
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: F