DENVER – Courtney Murphy and McKenzi Williams of Seattle University women's basketball have been named 2020-21 Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC), as the league announced its preseason honors on Tuesday morning.
Murphy earned Preseason All-WAC Second Team from coaches and media. The junior from Sunshine Coast, Australia, is the Redhawks' top returning scorer. She averaged 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. She sank a team-high 67 three-pointers and shot 84.6 percent from the foul line in 27 starts.
"Courtney came back very fit and has been playing well in practice," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "I'm looking forward to her junior campaign."
Williams was a Preseason All-WAC Second Team pick by league coaches. The native of Auburn, Wash., appeared in 22 games last season before tearing her ACL on Feb. 8. She put up 7.5 points and 1.5 steals per game. Williams shot 41.4 percent from three-point range on the season.
"I know Kenzi has been very excited to get back on the floor," said Barcomb. "She was playing very well last year when she got hurt."
Seattle U was picked sixth in the coaches' poll. Utah Valley earned the top spot with 57 points, edging out California Baptist (55 points). Grand Canyon, New Mexico State, and UTRGV followed. SU was slotted sixth, with newcomers Tarleton State and Dixie State after. Chicago State rounded out the rankings.
In the media poll, the Redhawks finished fifth in the voting. CBU claimed first, one point ahead of Utah Valley. UTRGV and NM State were third and fourth, respectively. SU placed fifh, with GCU next. Tarleton, Dixie State, and Chicago State grabbed the final three slots.
Barcomb is the WAC's longest-tenured head coach as she prepares for her fifth season. The Redhawks have played in two WAC Tournament Championships, winning the 2018 title. Last season, SU beat Utah Valley in the first round of the tournament before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murphy earned Preseason All-WAC Second Team from coaches and media. The junior from Sunshine Coast, Australia, is the Redhawks' top returning scorer. She averaged 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. She sank a team-high 67 three-pointers and shot 84.6 percent from the foul line in 27 starts.
"Courtney came back very fit and has been playing well in practice," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "I'm looking forward to her junior campaign."
Williams was a Preseason All-WAC Second Team pick by league coaches. The native of Auburn, Wash., appeared in 22 games last season before tearing her ACL on Feb. 8. She put up 7.5 points and 1.5 steals per game. Williams shot 41.4 percent from three-point range on the season.
"I know Kenzi has been very excited to get back on the floor," said Barcomb. "She was playing very well last year when she got hurt."
Seattle U was picked sixth in the coaches' poll. Utah Valley earned the top spot with 57 points, edging out California Baptist (55 points). Grand Canyon, New Mexico State, and UTRGV followed. SU was slotted sixth, with newcomers Tarleton State and Dixie State after. Chicago State rounded out the rankings.
In the media poll, the Redhawks finished fifth in the voting. CBU claimed first, one point ahead of Utah Valley. UTRGV and NM State were third and fourth, respectively. SU placed fifh, with GCU next. Tarleton, Dixie State, and Chicago State grabbed the final three slots.
Barcomb is the WAC's longest-tenured head coach as she prepares for her fifth season. The Redhawks have played in two WAC Tournament Championships, winning the 2018 title. Last season, SU beat Utah Valley in the first round of the tournament before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.