Starling Named Preseason All-Conference; Spartans Voted to Finish Eighth
10/17/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Macon, Ga. – USC Upstate sophomore Brittany Starling has been named Atlantic Sun First Team Preseason All-Conference as voted on by the league's head coaches, it was announced Thursday afternoon by the conference. In the preseason coaches poll, the Spartans were picked to finish in eighth place.
Starling, who was named to the 2012-13 A-Sun All-Freshman Team, posted one of the best seasons by a freshman in school history last season. The Sumter, S.C. native played in all 30 games with 23 starts, and led the A-Sun with a .531 field goal percentage. Starling ranked first on the team in rebounding with 6.3 per game and second in scoring at 10.3 points per game. Her 308 total points rank ninth all-time at Upstate by a freshman. Starling scored a career-high 21 points, while pulling down 12 rebounds, against North Florida. On the season, the 6-0 center tallied 17 games in which she recorded double-figure points and five double-doubles.
"It is a great recognition for Brittany and our program to receive this honor," said ninth-year head coach Tammy George. "It is always good to see positive things happening for your program."
The Spartans received a total of 41 points in the preseason coaches poll. Florida Gulf Coast, last year's regular season champion, was picked to finish first in the league with seven first first-place votes. Defending A-Sun Tournament champion, Stetson, is second with two first-place votes followed by Mercer in third with one first-place vote. Northern Kentucky garnered fourth-place recognition, while ETSU and North Florida are tied for fifth. Jacksonville was voted seventh in front of Upstate and Lipscomb was tabbed ninth. Kennesaw State rounded out the coaches poll in tenth place.
In the preseason poll voted upon by members of the media, Upstate was selected to finish in fifth place with 163 points. The top four teams are the same as the coaches poll with Florida Gulf Coast earning 30 first-place votes, followed by Stetson (two-first place votes), Mercer (one first-place vote) and Northern Kentucky. North Florida and ETSU sit behind the Spartans in sixth and seventh places, respectively. Jacksonville (eighth), Kennesaw State (ninth) and Lipscomb (tenth) wrap up the preseason media poll.
"Our focus is on ourselves and getting better with each practice," added George.
Florida Gulf Coast guard Sarah Hansen was voted the A-Sun Conference Preseason Player of the Year while Stetson forward Sasha Sims received the league's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Upstate returns three starters, including Starling, from last season's squad that finished 12-18 overall and 8-10 in the conference. The Spartans also return starters Brittany Clency and Shelby Hicks from last year, while welcoming in six newcomers.
The 2013-14 season for Upstate tips off Friday, Nov. 8 with a 6 p.m. contest at Maryland-Eastern Shore.
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First Team All-Atlantic Sun
Sarah Hansen – Guard, FGCU*
Queen Alford – Guard, Jacksonville*
Kendra Grant – Guard, Mercer*
Sasha Sims – Forward, Stetson*
Destiny Mitchell – Guard/Forward, ETSU
Whitney Knight – Guard, FGCU
Briana Williams – Guard, Mercer
Precious Bridges – Guard, Mercer
Kayla Thacker – Guard, Northern Kentucky
Brittany Starling – Center, USC Upstate
* - unanimous choice
Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
1. FGCU (7)
2. Stetson (2)
3. Mercer (1)
4. Northern Kentucky
T5. ETSU
T5. North Florida
7. Jacksonville
8. USC Upstate
9. Lipscomb
10. Kennesaw State
Preseason Women's Basketball Media Poll
1. FGCU (30)
2. Stetson (2)
3. Mercer (1)
4. Northern Kentucky
5. USC Upstate
6. North Florida
7. ETSU
8. Jacksonville
9. Kennesaw State
10. Lipscomb
