Oct. 24, 2002

CLEVELAND - Cleveland State was picked fourth in the 2002-03 Preseason Women's Basketball Poll released today by the Horizon League. In addition, senior guard Erika Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) earned a spot on the All-League First Team. UW-Green Bay was tabbed to win the conference, while UW-Milwaukee junior center Maria Viall was named the Preseason Player of the Year. The ballot was conducted among the League's head women's basketball coaches, sports information directors and members of the media.

Last season, Roudebush led the conference scoring at 18.2 ppg and three-point field goals (2.39 pg) en route to earning first team All-League honors. Furthermore, she ranked among the league leaders in steals (5th - 2.54), assists (7th - 3.86) and free throw percentage (7th - .793).

"It is a nice honor for Erika to be named to the preseason first team," noted CSU Head Coach Duffy Burns. "She is our only senior and led the conference in scoring last year. "Obviously, UW-Green Bay is the team to beat - they've been in the championship game for the past seven years," pointed out Burns. "Our pick is a fair one. In my opinion spots three through seven are wide open."

The Vikings, who return all five starters and 10 letterwinners, open the regular season Sunday, Nov. 24 at Western Michigan. CSU's home-opener is slated for Saturday, Nov. 30 against Niagara.

Preseason All-League First Team
Erika Roudebush, Cleveland State, G, 5-8, Sr.
Sara Boyer, UW-Green Bay G, 5-9, Sr.
Jaysie Chambers, Illinois-Chicago C/F, 6-2, Sr.
Maria Viall, UW-Milwaukee, C, 6-3, Jr.
Jessica Wilhite, UW-Milwaukee, G, 5-8, Sr.

Preseason All-League Second Team
Nancy Bowden, Butler, G, 5-2, Jr.
Tracy Hoffman, Loyola, G, 5-7, Sr.
Kristy Loiselle, UW-Green Bay, G, 5-10, Sr.
Jen Perugini, Youngstown State, C, 6-2, So.
Tiffany Webb, Wright State, G, 5-10, So.

Preseason All-League Player of the Year
Maria Viall, UW-Milwaukee

2002-03 Preseason Poll
Team	            Overall/League	Points
1. UW-Green Bay	       24-7/15-1	231
2. UW-Milwaukee	       20-8/14-2	204
3. Loyola	               15-14/8-8	154
4. Cleveland State     13-15/7-9	143
5. Illinois-Chicago    15-15/6-10	133
6. Youngstown State    12-16/8-8	116
7. Detroit	       16-14/9-7	91
8. Butler	               3-26/1-15	52
9. Wright State	       6-22/4-12	46