Oct. 26, 2009

Official Release from the ACC

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The University of Maryland women's basketball team received three first-place votes and was picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference by a vote of the Blue Ribbon Panel, it was announced Monday at the annual ACC Media Day in Greensboro Coliseum.

The panel, comprised of national and local media outlets, showed head coach Brenda Frese and the defending-conference champion Terrapins a lot of respect in the voting. The Terps have nine underclassmen on this year's roster, but bring in several talented newcomers.

North Carolina was predicted to win the league this season, receiving 30 of the 45 first-place votes, and Virginia senior guard Monica Wright tabbed the preseason player of the year.

Joining Wright on the preseason all-conference team were North Carolina forward Jessica Breland, Florida State forward Jacinta Monroe, Boston College center Carolyn Swords and Duke guard Jasmine Thomas. North Carolina guard Tierra Ruffin-Pratt was named preseason rookie of the year.

Duke received 10 first-place votes and was picked to finish second. Florida State, which received two first-place votes, came in third and Virginia was picked fourth. Behind Maryland at No. 5 were Boston College, Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, Wake Forest, Clemson and Virginia Tech.

Frese and senior guard Lori Bjork represented Maryland on Media Day, talking to local and national media outlets about the upcoming season. Media members and student-athletes teamed up in a shooting contest on the Coliseum floor at the conclusion of interviews. Bjork put on a shooting clinic, making several 3-pointers from the wing, impressing the crowd of onlookers. Bjork's team finished with the most points of any player-reporter duo.

2009-10 Predicted Order of Finish:
1. North Carolina (30)
2. Duke (10)
3. Florida State (2)
4. Virginia
5. MARYLAND (3)
6. Boston College
7. Georgia Tech
8. Miami
9. NC State
10. Wake Forest
11. Clemson
12. Virginia Tech

2009-10 Preseason All-ACC Team
Jessica Breland - Sr., F, North Carolina
Jacinta Monroe - Sr., F/C, Florida State
Carolyn Swords - Jr., C, Boston College
Jasmine Thomas - Jr., G, Duke
Monica Wright - Sr., G, Virginia

Preseason Player of the Year: Monica Wright - Sr., G, Virginia
Preseason Rookie of the Year: Tierra Ruffin-Pratt - Fr., G, North Carolina

- TERPS -