Lady Jackets Favored in Heartland (11/12/06)

BILLINGS, MT – In a poll of coaches and sports information directors, the Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team has been tabbed as the favorite to win the Heartland Conference championship in 2006-07.  The Yellowjackets were regular season co-champions last year but were upset in the first round of the conference playoffs.

The Yellowjackets received 10 first place votes and totaled 76 points in the poll.  That placed them 15 points ahead of St. Mary’s and 16 ahead of St. Edward’s for the top spot.  Incarnate Word (42), Oklahoma Panhandle State (40), and Lincoln (15) rounded out the poll.  St. Mary’s received two first place votes, as did Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Yellowjacket senior Michelle Lieber (Gillette, WY) was one of five players named to the preseason all-conference team.  Lieber, the reigning conference player of the year, was joined by Nina Kuleff of Panhandle State, Charlena Rodez of St. Mary’s, Kim Robinson of Incarnate Word, and Tammy Bartosh of St. Edward’s.

The Yellowjackets were defeated 89-45 in an exhibition game at University of Montana on Sunday.  They open the regular season on Friday when they host the Chinook Wireless/Holiday Inn Yellowjacket Classic.  The two-day tournament will include Western Oregon, North Dakota, and Metro State.

Heartland Conference Preseason Poll
1. Montana State-Billings (76 points, 10 first place votes)
2. St. Mary’s (61 points, 2 first place votes)
3. St. Edward’s (60 points)
4. Incarnate Word (42 points)
5. Oklahoma Panhandle State (40 points, 2 first place votes)
6. Lincoln (15 points)

Heartland Preseason All-Conference Team
Michelle Lieber (MSUB), Nina Kuleff (OPSU), Charlena Rodez (STMU), Kim Robinson (UIW), Tammy Bartosh (SEU).