OVC WOMEN ANTICIPATE TIGHT RACE FOR CONFERENCE TITLE

Four teams seriously contended for last year's Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball title and those four squads are expected to wage another fierce battle for supremacy this season.

Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin and Middle Tennessee finished in a three-way tie for last year's crown, with Southeast Missouri just a game back.

Those four teams were picked to finish one through four in the OVC's preseason poll based on voting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Tennessee Tech, which captured its eighth OVC Tournament title in 1999, grabbed 14 first-place votes to claim the top spot.

Tennessee-Martin, last year's tournament runner-up, received five first-place votes for second place. Middle Tennessee got the other first-place vote and was picked third, just ahead of Southeast Missouri, last year's surprise team in the league.

Eastern Kentucky, a perennial OVC power which has fallen off a bit lately, nabbed the fifth spot, followed by Murray State, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois and Morehead State."Tennessee Tech has to be the odds-on favorite because they didn't lose anybody and they had a good recruiting year," said Southeast Missouri coach Ed Arnzen. "But I think the league is going to be very competitive and several teams could challenge."Following is a look at the OVC squads, in the order they were picked to finish. Last year's overall and conference records are in parentheses.

Tennessee Tech (21-9, 14-4.

The Golden Eaglettes captured a share of their eighth OVC regular-season title on their way to the league tournament crown and a berth in the NCAA tourney.

With four starters among eight returning letterwinners, veteran coach Bill Worrell appears primed for another serious run at the title.

Leading the Eaglettes will be center Diane Seng, who earned first-team all-OVC honors and was named MVP of the league tournament last season, when she averaged 14.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Joining Seng up front is last year's OVC Freshman of the Year, forward Janet Holt (13.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg).Also back are guards Ann Parks (6.3 ppg, 2.2 apg), Misty Garrett (3.0 ppg, 3.1 apg) and Rachael Gobble (7.8 ppg, 2.5 apg), the latter a part-time starter a year ago.

Others who saw considerable action last season are center Collin Carmichael (7.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg), forward Leah Bird (5.6 ppg) and guard Amanda Kendall (2.4 ppg).Four talented newcomers are also expected to battle for playing time, which should make the Eaglettes perhaps the deepest team in the league. But Worrell knows better than to take anything for granted."This is a very competitive league, with some tremendous coaches," he said. "You better come ready to play every night."Tennessee-Martin (22-9, 14-4) Co-coaches Gary and Kim Van Atta are understandably excited about the upcoming season and the state of the Skyhawks' program.

Last year, UTM captured a share of its first OVC regular-season title and posted its best Division I record ever. Four starters are among 10 returning letterwinners."As they say in the Virginia Slims commercial, we've come a long way baby," said Gary Van Atta. "We came here three years ago and were picked 10th. Now we're picked second. I'm as excited about this team as any I've been around."The Skyhawks are led by last year's OVC Player of the Year and this year's preseason choice for the honor, forward Zabrina Harris, who ranked second in the league in scoring (19.3 ppg) and sixth in rebounding (7.0 rpg).Other returning starters are guard Tamika Brown (9.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg), center Chasity Bohannan (7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and forward Tracy Webb (7.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg).Several of the remaining letterwinners should challenge for considerable playing time, including guard Kelly Pendleton (4.5 ppg) and forward Jody Miller (6.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg).Middle Tennessee (18-10, 14-4.

Even though they return just one starter, the Lady Raiders of coach Stephany Smith are still expected to contend for the league championship.

Guard Kelly Chastain (7.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) heads up a group of nine returning letterwinners.

Although she wasn't considered a starter last season, forward Jamie Thomatis (13.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg) was one of the league's top young players, earning all-freshmen honors while ranking sixth in the nation in field-goal percentage (.626).Center Joanne Aluka, the OVC Freshman of the Year two seasons ago, missed last season with a knee injury but is being counted on, as are the likes of guards Jessica McClure (5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Erica Lufkin (7.2 ppg, 3.2 apg)."We are legitimately two deep at every position," said Smith. "That has really improved our competitiveness and work ethic. I'm really excited about our team."Southeast Missouri (19-9, 13-5.

The Otahkians posted their best record since moving to Division I and set a school record for conference wins last season as the veteran Arnzen was named OVC Coach of the Year.

With nine returning letterwinners, including three starters, Arnzen is looking for the Otahkians to continue their resurgence.

Heading up the list of returnees is forward Paula Corder-King (14.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), a second-team all-OVC selection last year who led the nation in free-throw percentage (.941), was one of the OVC's top 3-point shooters and will carry an OVC-record 39 consecutive free throws made into the season.

The other two returning starters are center Pam Iversen (11.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg), who made the OVC all-freshmen team last year, and guard Moneik Campbell (8.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.6 apg).Other returning letterwinners are forwards Regan Hughston (5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Annie Struve (3.2 ppg) and Kim Nicholson (2.1 ppg); center Allison Iversen (2.2 ppg); and guards Tiffany Melis (2.0 ppg) and Liea Toedte (1.7 ppg).Arnzen is also high on his four freshmen: forward Lori Chase and guards Jennifer Gries, LaShelle Porter and Kristy Roherty."I'm excited about the season because we have a good group of returning players and some new players who should help us," said Arnzen. Eastern Kentucky (11-16, 8-10.

The Lady Colonels had their worst conference record in 11 years last season, but veteran coach Larry Joe Inman hopes that four returning starters and eight returning letterwinners will help EKU turn things around.

Leading the way is forward Charlotte Sizemore (17.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), who earned first-team all-OVC honors last year.

The other returning starters are guards Mikki Bond (7.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Larrya Wall (4.2 ppg), and forward Candice Finley (7.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg).EKU will also be counting heavily on Marla Gearhart (14.2 ppg, 3.1 apg), who missed two-thirds of last season with a knee injury.

Among other returning letterwinners are guard Zoey Artist (5.3 ppg) and forward Susan Hatcher (3.4 ppg)."Last year was the first team I've had that I just felt quit in some games," Inman said. "I think this team has a lot of heart."Murray State (10-17, 9-9.

Coming off their best OVC record in nine years, the Lady Racers of coach Eddie Fields return seven letterwinners, including three starters, in an attempt to improve on last year's fifth-place league finish.

Leading the way will be guard Heather Bates (13.2 ppg, 4.9 apg) and forward Monika Gadson (12.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg), along with guard Eniko Verebes (4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg).Among other returnees being counted on are guard Shana Sieve (2.7 ppg) and forward Susan Tackett (3.0 ppg)."I'll be able to go to the bench this year and feel comfortable, which we haven't been able to do in the past," said Fields.

Tennessee State (13-15, 7-11.

The Lady Tigers of coach Teresa Lawrence Phillips suffered through an injury-plagued season last year, which ended with their second straight seventh-place finish.

Since the two players who accounted for nearly half of TSU's scoring are gone, the Lady Tigers could be hard-pressed to climb in the standings.

Only five letterwinners return, including center Tamara Washington (12.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), who missed much of last season with a knee injury.

Among others back are guard Angela Hassell (7.8 ppg), and forwards Larissa Thomas (4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and K.K. Brunson (3.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg). Phillips will also be counting on a host of newcomers.

Austin Peay (6-21, 5-13.

Coach Susie Gardner returns six letterwinners and two starters from a team that finished eighth in the OVC last season.

The Lady Govs will be relying heavily on forward Quin Sullivan (13.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and guard Kelly Chavez (6.1 ppg, 2.8 apg).Others returning are forwards Tiffany McCarley (5.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Tanesha Murray (2.3 ppg), center Molly Worrall (1.8 ppg) and guard Tiffany Swoffard (0.7 ppg).Gardner brought in eight new players to help turn things around."It was time for a change," Gardner said. "I don't know how good we'll be, but the pride and passion are there."Eastern Illinois (5-21, 3-15.

Coming off their worst record in five years, the Lady Panthers have a new coach in Linda Wunder. She'll have eight returning letterwinners, including three starters, to build around.

Topping the list of returnees is center Leah Aldrich-Franklin, who led the league in scoring (21.4 ppg) and ranked high in rebounding (6.8 rpg) to earn first-team all-OVC honors.

Also returning is the guard tandem of Renee Schaul (7.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Angie Patzner (4.1 ppg), while Monica Bernat (5.3 ppg) also saw plenty of action in the backcourt.

Among others being counted on are forward Angie Russell (5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and guard Colleen McShane (4.2 ppg)."Leah Aldrich-Franklin is a great player to build around," said Wunder. Morehead State (5-21, 3-15.

Three starters are among nine returning letterwinners as Coach Laura Litter's Lady Eagles try to turn things around.

Leading the way will be guard Heidi Daulton (11.5 ppg), a member of the OVC's all-freshmen team last year who was among the league leaders in six categories; and forwards Vette Robinson (11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Cisha Brazley (6.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg).Other top returnees are forward Laurie Vincent (5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), guard Margaret Klee (5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and center Jodi Dempsey (3.5 ppg)."Respect can only be earned," said Litter of her team's predicted last-place finish. "But I'm more excited about this team than any other."