10/29/2019 9:33:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Radford women's basketball team was selected to finish atop the Big South Conference yet again in the 2019-20 preseason poll. Sydney Nunley and Khiana Johnson also garnered recognition being placed on the First and Second Teams respectively.
The Highlanders received the most first-place votes at six, a tally voted on by the league's head coaches. Radford's total points in the poll were 113. Hampton tallied several first-place votes for a total of 104, as the conference's selected runner-up. UNC Asheville and Campbell also received first-place votes.
"It is an honor to be selected as the preseason favorite by your coaching peers," said head coach Mike McGuire. "It is certainly a position our program prepares for and we expect to compete for conference championships each season. We have a strong core of returners from last year's championship team that should help us prepare for the conference race this year. At the same time, this is a new team and we have several new faces in the program this year. This team will have to mesh and grow throughout their journey in order to compete for a conference championship. We will work hard to accept this challenge and use it as a positive all season long."
Nunley, the Second Team All-Big South and three-time Big South Player of the Week selection, was rewarded for her dominance in the paint last season. The West Virginia native played in 29 games while starting in 22 of them. She averaged a near double-double at 10.3 points and 9.5 rebounds over the course of 24.5 minutes per game. In the Big South, she ranked second in rebounds per game, second in blocked shots per game, third in offensive rebounds per game, and third in defensive rebounds per game. She concluded the 2018-19 campaign with 267 rebounds, 47 blocks, 28 assists, and 13 steals. Joining the 500 career rebound club, she also registered 12 double-doubles including a stretch where she notched seven in a row. Nunley posted a season high 22 points on several occasions and pulled down 13 rebounds against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament.
"Sydney had a breakout season especially during Big South play last year. She really stepped up and showed what she is capable of doing. Sydney is a tremendous presence for us on both ends of the floor and is an unique post player in the Big South. Her career hasn't been an easy one due to injuries but I am excited that she is primed to lead us in her senior season. She has persevered, shown tremendous resiliency, and has fought for everything here at Radford. I am looking forward to watching her play in her last season."
-- Coach McGuire
Johnson joined her teammate on the Second Team All-Big South last season. She tallied career highs in various categories such as points per game at 11, assists per game at 3.6, rebounds per game at 2.3, and 35.1 minutes per game which was the fourth most in the conference. In the Big South, she ranked fourth in total assists at 118 and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.2. Johnson scored in double figures in 23 games including a career high 19 points at Campbell. She also notched her first career double-double against USC Upstate with 16 points and 10 assists.
"Khiana, in my opinion, is as dynamic of a guard as anyone in the Big South Conference. Khiana has fantastic play making abilities and her speed is a game changer for us. Khiana has worked tirelessly to grow as a player, competitor, and leader throughout her career at Radford. Her role has gradually increased each season and I expect nothing less from her in her senior season. She had a terrific off-season and is ready to elevate her game as a senior. It will be fun to watch her play this year."
-- Coach McGuire
2019-20 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rk. | Team (first-place votes) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Total |
| 1. | Radford (6) | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 113 |
| 2. | Hampton (3) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 104 |
| 3. | UNC Asheville (1) | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 94 |
| 4. | Campbell (1) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 91 |
| 5. | Gardner-Webb | - | 3 | - | 2 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | 86 |
| 6. | High Point | - | 1 | - | - | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | 66 |
| 7. | Winthrop | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | - | 1 | 47 |
| 8. | Presbyterian | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | - | 43 |
| 9. | Charleston Southern | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 32 |
| 10. | Longwood | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 26 |
| 11. | USC Upstate | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 2 | 4 | 4 | 24 |
2019-20 Big South Conference Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
First-Team
Ashley Bates, Hampton (Preseason Player of the Year)
Carley Plentovich, Gardner-Webb
Sonora Dengokl, UNC Asheville
Sydney Nunley, Radford
Dayna Rouse, Longwood
Second-Team
Khiana Johnson, Radford
Laren VanArsdale, Hampton
Kacie Hall, Presbyterian
ShyAnne Tuelle, Campbell
Hayley Barber, Campbell
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