Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Picked to Finish Fourth in Mountain West, Hofschild Earns Preseason Honor
10/13/2021 2:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mountain West Preseason Accolades Announced Wednesday by League Office
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The first sign of an impending season is the Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll and Awards, which was announced Wednesday morning by the league office.
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After voting from coaches and select media members, Colorado State was picked to finish fourth in the 11-team conference, while junior McKenna Hofschild was named to the five-person Preseason All-Mountain West Team. A two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year and the winningest coach in program history, Ryun Williams enters his 10th season at the helm of the Colorado State women's basketball program in 2021-22.
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The Rams return seven student-athletes and two starters from last season's squad that finished 15-6 overall and were just a pair of wins away from winning the Mountain West regular season title before finishing 11-5 in the conference. Hofschild and sophomore Cali Clark account for the two starters, but low post players Karly Murphy and Sydney Mech combined to start 12 games last season and will solidify the Rams in the front court.
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The other three returners include Petra Farkas, Bengisu Alper and Makayla Hemingway. New to the Rams' locker room are freshmen Anna Prim, Clara Gomez and Jess Moors in addition to transfers Kendyll Kinzer and Upe Atosu.
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Hofschild started in every Rams' game last season and is the reigning MW Newcomer of the Year. The Prior Lake, Minnesota, native averaged 13.4 points and led the Mountain West in assists with 5.4 per game. She finished her sophomore campaign with 281 points, 114 assists and 24 steals.
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2021-22 Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team (First-Place Votes)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Points
1. Fresno State (13)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 269
2. New Mexico (7)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 251
3. UNLV (3)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 232
4. Colorado State (1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 207
5. Wyoming                                  190
6. Boise State                                166
7. San Diego State                        135
8. Nevada                                      123
9. San Jose State                           105
10. Air Force                                    62
11. Utah State                                 42
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2021-22 Preseason All-Mountain West Team
Position              Name                  Yr.         Team
G           McKenna Hofschild         Jr.          Colorado State
G           Haley Cavinder                 Jr.          Fresno State
G           Hanna Cavinder               Jr.          Fresno State
G/F        Antonia Anderson           Sr.         New Mexico
C            Desi-Rae Young               Soph.    UNLV
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Preseason Player of the Year
G           Haley Cavinder  Jr.          Fresno State
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Preseason Freshman of the Year
G           Asia Avinger       Jr.          San Diego State
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Preseason Newcomer of the Year
G           Kylie Jimenez     Sr.         Nevada
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For More on Colorado State Women's Basketball follow: Twitter – CSUWBasketball | Instagram – csuwbasketball | Facebook – @CSUWBasketball
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After voting from coaches and select media members, Colorado State was picked to finish fourth in the 11-team conference, while junior McKenna Hofschild was named to the five-person Preseason All-Mountain West Team. A two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year and the winningest coach in program history, Ryun Williams enters his 10th season at the helm of the Colorado State women's basketball program in 2021-22.
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The Rams return seven student-athletes and two starters from last season's squad that finished 15-6 overall and were just a pair of wins away from winning the Mountain West regular season title before finishing 11-5 in the conference. Hofschild and sophomore Cali Clark account for the two starters, but low post players Karly Murphy and Sydney Mech combined to start 12 games last season and will solidify the Rams in the front court.
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The other three returners include Petra Farkas, Bengisu Alper and Makayla Hemingway. New to the Rams' locker room are freshmen Anna Prim, Clara Gomez and Jess Moors in addition to transfers Kendyll Kinzer and Upe Atosu.
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Hofschild started in every Rams' game last season and is the reigning MW Newcomer of the Year. The Prior Lake, Minnesota, native averaged 13.4 points and led the Mountain West in assists with 5.4 per game. She finished her sophomore campaign with 281 points, 114 assists and 24 steals.
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2021-22 Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team (First-Place Votes)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Points
1. Fresno State (13)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 269
2. New Mexico (7)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 251
3. UNLV (3)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 232
4. Colorado State (1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 207
5. Wyoming                                  190
6. Boise State                                166
7. San Diego State                        135
8. Nevada                                      123
9. San Jose State                           105
10. Air Force                                    62
11. Utah State                                 42
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2021-22 Preseason All-Mountain West Team
Position              Name                  Yr.         Team
G           McKenna Hofschild         Jr.          Colorado State
G           Haley Cavinder                 Jr.          Fresno State
G           Hanna Cavinder               Jr.          Fresno State
G/F        Antonia Anderson           Sr.         New Mexico
C            Desi-Rae Young               Soph.    UNLV
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Preseason Player of the Year
G           Haley Cavinder  Jr.          Fresno State
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Preseason Freshman of the Year
G           Asia Avinger       Jr.          San Diego State
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Preseason Newcomer of the Year
G           Kylie Jimenez     Sr.         Nevada
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For More on Colorado State Women's Basketball follow: Twitter – CSUWBasketball | Instagram – csuwbasketball | Facebook – @CSUWBasketball
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