Women’s and men’s basketball teams picked third and fifth in MIAA preseason coaches’ polls

The Olivet College women's and men's basketball teams have been picked to finish third and fifth, respectively, in the 2006-07 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches' Polls. Each coach was not allowed to vote for his/her own team. Hope College was selected as the women's preseason favorite, while Calvin College was tabbed as the men's preseason favorite.

On the women's side, the Comets will be led by senior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview), who broke the school's single-season scoring record with 479 points a year ago. She earned 2005-06 first-team All-MIAA honors after leading the conference in scoring at 17.7 points per game. Olivet ended last season with a 13-14 overall record and was fifth in the MIAA at 8-8.

Under the leadership of sixth-year Head Coach Deanna Richard, the Comets begin their season Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19 by participating in the College of Wooster (Ohio) Tournament. Olivet plays Thiel (Pa.) College Saturday at 1 p.m., while the consolation and championship games are scheduled for Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.

The men's preseason roster features junior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) and sophomore Eric McCoy (Charlotte) as the only returning letterwinners. The remainder of the roster includes six players from last year's junior varsity team along with five freshmen. A year ago, Olivet had an 6-20 overall record and 2-12 mark in MIAA play.

Under the direction of third-year Head Coach Kurt Soderberg, the Comets opens their season Friday-Sunday, Nov. 17-19 by hosting the Second Annual Gary Morrison Tip-Off Tournament. Olivet begins play Friday evening against Concordia University at 7 p.m.