MACON, Ga. (Jan. 29, 2009) - With the 2009 softball season right around the corner, the Atlantic Sun Conference released its preseason all-conference team and preseason coaches poll on Thursday afternoon. For the second straight season junior outfielder Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.) was named to the preseason all-conference team, while the Lady Bucs were tabbed ninth in the poll.

Jett was selected to the all-conference list after leading ETSU in almost every offensive category a year ago. The junior star led the Lady Bucs in hitting (.347), runs scored (31), hits (68), at-bats (196), RBI (35), total bases (91), slugging percentage (.464) and on-base percentage (.464). In addition, Jett set a new career high with 19 stolen bases and her speed in the outfield also paid dividends for ETSU as well. Jett only committed one error in 96 total chances and posted 77 putouts along with 18 assists.

Joining Jett on the preseason all-conference team were outfielders Katie Hinton (Campbell) and Holly Oglesbee (Mercer). For a full listing of the preseason team click the link above.

Cheyenne Jenks of Florida Gulf Coast was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while USC Upstate's Morgan Childers was tabbed Pitcher of the Year.

Despite posting a school record 30 wins and finishing one game short of the Atlantic Sun championship game last season, ETSU was tabbed ninth by the league coaches.

The Lady Bucs received 44 total votes and were picked above Jacksonville and Belmont; however, according to head coach Andrea Mangrum her squad will use this ranking as motivation.

"Instead of being discouraged with this ranking, our team will look at this as a motivational tool and show the league we can be a contender, added Mangrum, who is entering her fourth season at ETSU. "We feel like we are capable of being at the top of the standings when the season is over, and after falling short at the conference tournament last season we feel like there is some unfinished business to take care of this year."

After earning a share of the 2008 regular season title, USC Upstate was voted number one in the 2009 Preseason Coaches Poll. The Spartans received six first place votes and edged out Florida Gulf Coast - another team who earned a share of the regular season title - by five votes. The Spartans finished with 112 tallies, while the Eagles - who received four first place votes - ended with 107. Stetson finished out the top three teams and the Hatters were also pegged as the favorites to win the tournament championship as well.

Campbell, last season's tournament champion, was picked sixth (64 votes); while Kennesaw State (77 votes), Lipscomb (75 votes) and Mercer (66 votes) are all expected to finish higher. Mercer was the other team to receive a first place selection. Meanwhile, UNF was selected seventh right above the Lady Bucs with 53 votes.

ETSU is prepping for its season opener on Friday, Feb. 13. The Lady Bucs open play with James Madison at the College of Charleston Tournament.

For more information on Lady Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.