Yellowjackets Picked Sixth in GNAC Women's Basketball Poll

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings received 37 points to place sixth in the GNAC Pre-Season Women’s Basketball Poll.  Alaska-Anchorage was the overwhelming favorite as they received all but one of the first place votes.

Seattle Pacific, who has the other first place vote, was picked second with 67 points.  They were followed by Northwest Nazarene (65), Western Washington (55) and Saint Martin’s (40).  Following the Jackets are Central Washington (25), Western Oregon (22) and Alaska Fairbanks (17).

After having no seniors on last year’s roster, MSUB will look to its four seniors to provide leadership, experience, and skill.  Alira Carpenter, Jetton Meadors, and Jen Smith were all starters last season.  Carpenter earned All-GNAC first team honors after averaging 20.0 points a game, while shooting 41.2% from behind the arc and 83.2% from the free throw line.  Alira is a proven all-around scorer who needs just 222 points to become the all-time leading Yellowjacket scorer.  Carpenter already holds the career school records for three-pointers made and attempted.  Last year Meadors averaged 4.2 points and 2.0 assists per game and has the ability to play multiple guard positions.  Jetton shot 84.6% from the charity stripe and is an excellent defender.  Smith did a great job on the boards and led her team in rebounding with six per game, earning her the team’s outstanding defensive player award.  McPherson is a consistent scorer who tossed in 8.5 points per game.  Kayla is expected to once again stretch defenses with her excellent shooting touch.

Junior Shantell Marquis will team with Carpenter to form one of the best backcourt tandems in the GNAC.  Marquis is a versatile player with great speed and size.  She earned Honorable Mention All-GNAC honors last year while averaging 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.2 steals per game.  Marquis set the school and GNAC record for steals in a single game with 10 against Northwest Nazarene.  She is already ranked fifth in career steals at MSUB after just two seasons.

Four other players return for the Yellowjackets.  Kayla Ryan made her presence known as a freshman averaging 6.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a game while shooting over 50% from the field.  The 6-1 Ryan had six double-figure scoring games and is expected to be a key player.  Rachel Hansen, Quinn Halverson, and Mandy Jacobs all provided key minutes throughout the season.

Head coach Kevin Woodin is pleased with the depth of this year’s team.  Along with the returning players, four freshman come to MSUB with impressive credentials.  Melissa Porter, a 6-3 post has been getting additional training as a member of the MSUB volleyball team.  Laura Jo Kipp will provide additional size, great hands, and depth in the post.  Kalli Stanhope brings her fundamentally sound game to the perimeter.  Callie Kautzmann rounds out the MSUB freshman class of 2008, with her aggressive and versatile player.

“I believe this team has the ingredients to have a very successful season,” said Coach Woodin.  “Last year had its ups and downs and I feel we learned a lot along the way.  Our schedule was extremely tough and once we got into conference play, we struggled with finishing games.  We lost six GNAC games by six points or less and this year we need to find a way to win those types of games.  It will be nice to have an experienced group and I am excited about the upcoming season.”