No real surprise as the UALR women, for the first time in years, were not picked first in the preseason Sun Belt Conference women's poll. UALR was picked third. The surprise came in the form of the three first-place votes. That is a major sign of respect for Coach Joe Foley and the program he's built.
Denver and Middle Tennessee were the top two picks with Arkansas State picked second in the West Division.
The men's poll is released tomorrow.
UALR senior Marion Kursh was the only Trojan selected all-Sun Belt, making the second team.
UALR is coming off five consecutive 20-victory seasons and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. But the Trojans are in a rebuilding mode this season with the graduations of Chastity Reed, Shanika Butler and Asriel Rolfe.
