Colorado State University Athletics
Rams predicted to repeat as conference champions
10/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Returning four starters from an outstanding performance last season, the Colorado State women's basketball team was selected to finish in first place in the Mountain West's preseason poll, released Tuesday.
CSU garnered 21 of the 28 first-place votes available, and received 276 points overall. Boise State ranked second with 241 points and four first-places votes, while Wyoming rounded out the top three at 235 points and three first-place votes. A look at the full poll is below.
This is just the second time in the history of the Mountain West that Colorado State was predicted to win the league title. The Rams also received a first-place projection prior to the 2001-02 season, a forecast that they lived up to.
Last season the Rams surprised everyone but themselves, finishing 15-3 in conference play and capturing the regular-season crown following a seventh place preseason projection. Colorado State's 25-8 record overall accounted for the third-biggest turnaround in the country following 2012-13's 11-19 tally.
Nystrom gets preseason nod
Returning for her sophomore campaign, Ellen Nystrom earned a spot on the five-person preseason all-Mountain West team. Last year she became the most decorated CSU athlete in a single season with four all-conference awards: co-freshman of the year, second-team all-MW, all-defensive team and all-freshman team.
The Lulea, Sweden, native returns after leading the team last year in rebounds (6.6) and steals (43), while ranking second in assists (112) behind Rams' point guard Gritt Ryder.
2014-15 Mountain West Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team (1st-place votes) | Points |
| 1. | Colorado State (21) | 276 |
| 2. | Boise State (4) | 241 |
| 3. | Wyoming (3) | 235 |
| 4. | Fresno State | 181 |
| 5. | Nevada | 155 |
| 6. | UNLV | 143 |
| 7. | San Diego State | 134 |
| 8. | Utah State | 123 |
| 9. | New Mexico | 122 |
| 10. | San José State | 81 |
| 11. | Air Force | 27 |
Preseason All-Mountain West
Deanna Weaver, Sr., G, Boise State
Ellen Nystrom, So., G, Colorado State
Alex Sheedy, Sr., F, Fresno State
Ta'Rea Cunnigan, Sr., G, San José State
Kayla Woodward, Sr., F, Wyoming
Preseason Player of the Year
Kayla Woodward, Sr., F, Wyoming
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Camille Redmon, Sr., C, Boise State
Preseason Freshman of the Year
McKynzie Fort, Fr., G, San Diego State
