Oct. 18, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - With four starters returning from a Final Four season, the Hardin-Simmons women's basketball has been picked to win the American Southwest Conference West Division by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media.

HSU received 10 of 20 first-place votes and narrowly outdistanced defending champion McMurry (145-142) in the poll. Howard Payne, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Concordia-Austin, Schreiner, Texas Lutheran and Sul Ross State rounded out the poll.

"We have a good nucleus of girls back from last season and they gained invaluable experience playing those six NCAA Tournament games," said HSU head coach Shanna Briggs. "One of our team goals, like it is every season, is to win the American Southwest Conference."

HSU returns four or five starters depending on how you look at it. Seniors Melissa (Henley) Contrucci and Lyssa Dennard are back for their third full years as starters. Shelby Hodges started every game as a sophomore last season.

Sarah Hauk and Rachel Cisneroz are back at point guard. Hauk began the season as the starter, before tearing her ACL. Cisneroz had a huge run in the playoffs and ended up starting nine games at the point.

The Cowgirls went 24-7 in 2005-06 and finished third in the ASC West.