MACON, Ga. (Jan. 31, 2008) - The ETSU softball team was one of two programs in the Atlantic Sun to have two of its players selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team, as senior Amanda Haverman (Kirkwood, Mo.) and sophomore Katy Jett (Talbot, Tenn.) received the honors Thursday afternoon. As a team, the Lady Buccaneers were picked to finish fifth by the league coaches.

The Lady Bucs, who posted the best offensive output among the conference members in 18 league games, return 10 players from last season's team that earned the third seed in the Atlantic Sun Tournament. Both Haverman and Jett boasted stellar campaigns a year ago, and were highly recognized for their hard work by the conference.

Jett, the lone sophomore on the Preseason All-Conference List, received Second Team All-Atlantic Sun and Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team accolades in 2007. During her rookie season, Jett posted a .305 batting average (54-177) with eight doubles, one triple, five home runs and 32 RBI. The Talbot native will remember two of those dingers as she blasted a pair off the nation's number one pitcher in Tennessee's Monica Abbott. Jett led ETSU with 54 hits and ranked second in runs scored at 39.

Haverman, ETSU's designated player, broke the single-season Lady Buccaneer RBI record by driving in 37 last year. Like Jett, Haverman also hit .305 (47-177) and tied for the team-lead with 11 doubles. The Kirkwood, Mo. native also blasted a career-high six homers.

In the Preseason Coaches' poll, Stetson edged out Kennesaw State by three points to earn the top spot in the conference. The Hatters received seven first-place votes (138 total points); while the Lady Owls picked up the remaining five first-place selections. North Florida was picked to finish third with 99 total points, and Gardner-Webb beat out ETSU for fourth with 91 votes. The Lady Bucs received 85 points, placing them in fifth.

The Hatters were the only other team in the league to place two players on the all-conference preseason team as junior pitcher Erica Demers and senior catcher Blythe Golden each received the honor.

North Florida's Gwen Williams was voted the Preseason Player of the Year, and Kennesaw State's Brittany Matthews was tabbed the Preseason Pitcher of the Year, after she was given the award following the conclusion of the 2007 season.

Please click the above link for a full listing of the coaches' poll and all-conference list.

For more information on ETSU athletics and Lady Buccaneer softball, please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.