Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Picked to Win MAC East Division Title in 2011-12
November 01, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Steffen named to Preseason All-MAC Team
The Bowling Green State University women's basketball team has been picked to win the Mid-American Conference's East Division title in 2012, according to the league's preseason poll. The poll was released Tuesday morning (Nov. 1) by the conference office.
Additionally, BGSU junior Chrissy Steffen was selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team.
Total votes were not released by the league office, but the Falcons of 11th-year head coach Curt Miller were picked ahead of – in order – Miami, Akron, Kent State, Ohio and Buffalo.
"Our program is pleasantly surprised by the results of the poll," said Miller. "We did not expect to be picked first in the East Division after graduating six seniors, including four starters. However, we believe it is a nice sign of respect, based on our sustained success through the years and the culture that we have created within the program."
BGSU will be looking to win a divisional crown for the eighth consecutive season. After winning the West Division title in 2004-05, the Falcons have won six-straight East Division championships after being moved back to the East prior to the '05-06 academic year.
"It will be difficult to win an eighth-straight divisional title, given our youth," said Miller. "But, I am excited about our daily work ethic in practice. It will be a fun journey watching this team grow throughout the year."
Miller and his staff – associate head coach Jennifer Roos, assistant coaches Brandi Poole and Kevin Eckert and director of operations Monique Rosati – welcome back nine letterwinners, but just one starter (Steffen), from the 2010-11 team. That squad went 28-5 overall and 13-3 in MAC action. After winning the East Division, the Falcons picked up three more victories in Cleveland in mid-March to capture the MAC Tournament championship for the fifth time in the last seven years.
Toledo was picked to win the West Division, followed by Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ball State and Western Michigan.
Thirty-three of the 48 voters picked UT to capture the MAC Tournament crown in 2012. CMU received 10 votes, while three voters tabbed BGSU to successfully defend the MAC Tournament crown. EMU garnered the other two votes.
Fans will get their first chance to see the Falcons in action tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 1), when BGSU takes on Findlay in an exhibition game at the brand-new Stroh Center. The regular season opens with a game at Dayton on Friday, Nov. 11, and the home opener is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 17, vs. Purdue.
The MAC poll results and preseason all-conference team follow.
MAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
2011-12 PRESEASON POLL
East Division
1 - Bowling Green
2 - Miami
3 - Akron
4 - Kent State
5 - Ohio
6 - Buffalo
West Division
1 - Toledo
2 - Central Michigan
3 - Eastern Michigan
4 - Northern Illinois
5 - Ball State
6 - Western Michigan
Votes to win MAC Tournament
Toledo (33)
Central Michigan (10)
Bowling Green (3)
Eastern Michigan (2)
PRESEASON ALL-MAC TEAM
East Division
Rachel Tecca, Akron
Chrissy Steffen, Bowling Green
Courtney Osborn, Miami
Kirsten Olowinski, Miami
Tenishia Benson, Ohio
West Division
Brandie Baker, Central Michigan
Niki DiGuilio, Central Michigan
Tavelyn James, Eastern Michigan
Naama Shafir, Toledo
Miame Giden, Western Michigan
