Women's Basketball 10/11/2022 9:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Picked Ninth In Preseason Polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was tabbed ninth in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll and the league's preseason media poll, it was announced Tuesday.

READ THE MIAA RELEASE HERE

League commissioner Mike Racy announced both polls at the onset of MIAA Basketball Media Day, presented by Seigfreid Bingham, at the College Basketball Experience.

UCO, which finished seventh in the league standings last March and reached the quarterfinals of the MIAA Basketball Championship, enters the 2022-23 season with a new head coach.

"We've got to go out there and prove it," Emma Andrews said. "The team finished seventh last year and we lost an All-American, so this team has something to prove. We're okay with where we are at. Even if we were picked first, you still have to prove it on the floor."

Andrews takes over a team with 10 returning letter winners from last year's squad that finished 17-13. That includes two-time All-Defensive selection Brooke Rayner. The fifth-year senior looks to add to her collection of 156 career steals. Rayner has nabbed 21, 35, 31, and 69 steals in her time with the Bronchos.

UCO also returns Alayzha Knapp, who averaged 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds last season. Aliyah Llanusa is back too. She averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and an even 2.0 steals per game. Caley Young (5.0) and Karly Wadsworth (4.7) are also back and look to add to the mix.

The Bronchos will also look to lean on some newcomers. Transfers Kassie Boorer, River Romine, Courtnee Cash, Aspen Williston and Eliana Bravington add depth at several positions for Andrews.

Central Oklahoma begins the 2022-23 season in November. UCO will play Mary (N.D.) and Northwestern Oklahoma State in Billings, North Dakota before returning home for a four-game non-conference homestand. The Bronchos host the UCO Classic and will play Missouri S&T and Oklahoma Christian in Edmond and will also host Cameron and Southern Nazarene before opening its 22-game MIAA schedule.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Alayzha Knapp: F; 6' 2"; Junior

#22 Aliyah Llanusa: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#11 Brooke Rayner: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#21 Karly Wadsworth: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#42 Caley Young: F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#3 Kassie Boorer: F; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#12 River Romine: G; 5' 6"; Senior

#14 Courtnee Cash: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#30 Aspen Williston: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#44 Eliana Bravington: F; 6' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#15 Alayzha Knapp
: 6' 2"; Junior
: F

#22 Aliyah Llanusa
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#11 Brooke Rayner
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#21 Karly Wadsworth
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#42 Caley Young
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: F

#3 Kassie Boorer
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: F

#12 River Romine
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

#14 Courtnee Cash
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#30 Aspen Williston
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#44 Eliana Bravington
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: F