LAS VEGAS— Pacific women's basketball was picked by the coaches in the West Coast Conference to finish in a tie for third in the preseason poll, announced on Wednesday.
 
The Tigers share the place with Santa Clara at a score of 41 points. Gonzaga was selected to finish first with 64 points and eight first-place votes. Defending WCC champion Portland followed in second with 50 points and one first-place vote.
 
It marks the first time since 2019 that Pacific was selected to the top three.
 
"I think the WCC coaches poll reflects the year after year parody in this league," said head coach Bradley Davis. "You can see by the vote count that Gonzaga and Portland have high expectations and the rest of us are going to be in the same dogfight we were at the end of last season.
 
In addition, junior Liz Smith was named to the All-WCC Preseason Team.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of Liz and how hard she's worked to grow as a player and grow this team over the past three years," said Davis. "She plays with a passion like few others and has a great work ethic. Liz is talented and the first to sing the praises of her teammates. She's definitely earned this recognition."
 
Smith led the Tigers in scoring with 14.0 points per game a year ago. The Dallas, Texas native scored double figures in 25 of 29 games and notched four 20+ point performances. Smith was also ranked in the top 10 in free throws per game (3rd, 4.0), three-point percentage (5th, 39.7), free throw percentage (6th, 81.8) and three-pointers per game (7th, 1.9). Her outstanding performance earned her a spot on the All-WCC First Conference, marking the first postseason accolade of her career.
 
"To be able to represent this program on the preseason team is an honor," said Smith, "I've worked incredibly hard the past three years and I'm excited to see what this season has in store for us."
 
Pacific returns eight of its 12 players from last season. In addition to Smith, the Tigers will have a great presence in junior Anaya James who was third on the team in scoring with 10.4 points per game during her sophomore year. The Inglewood, Calif. native earned WCC Player of the Week on Dec. 5, 2022. Pacific also returns graduate student Josephine Millard after redshirting last year and gains two transfers in sophomore Lauren Glazier and junior Endigo Parker. The Tigers will have new young talent in freshmen Kenlee Durrill, Jamie Kent, Nyah Lowery and Stella Szabo.
 
Pacific opens the season against Cal State Fullerton at Alex G. Spanos Center at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10. 
 
WCC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Gonzaga (8)             64
2. Portland (1)             50
3. Pacific                      41
    Santa Clara              41
5. San Diego                40
6. Saint Mary's            34
7. San Francisco          31
8. Pepperdine              12
9. LMU                          11
 
All-WCC Preseason Team
Ali Bamberger – Saint Mary's
Maisie Burnham – Portland
Yvonne Ejim – Gonzaga
Jasmine Gayles – San Francisco
Tess Heal – Santa Clara
Brynna Maxwell – Gonzaga
Emme Shearer – Portland
Liz Smith – Pacific
Kayleigh Truong – Gonzaga
Kaylynne Truong – Gonzaga