Date Posted: 1/25/2006

Macon, Ga. – Florida Atlantic sweeps the Atlantic Sun Preseason Coaches and Media polls again, as the perennial powerhouse plays its final season in the A-Sun.

Winners of eight A-Sun Championships from 1997 to 2004, the Owls received 10 first place votes in the Coaches polls while unanimously topping the Media poll. Both polls also predicted FAU to win its ninth tournament. Following closely was Stetson and newcomer Kennesaw State. They hold the second and third spots in both polls respectively. Kennesaw received one first place vote among A-Sun coaches.

Stetson and Kennesaw saw two players from each team named to the preseason all-conference team. The Hatters have Melissa Wiggins and Shawna Wiggs, with Wiggins selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. An All-Conference team pick last year, Wiggins started every game at third base a season ago led the A-Sun in on base percentage and slugging percentage.

Kennesaw State’s Cambria McKay and Keri McKee helped the Owls to a share of the Peach Belt Conference title last season, splitting the title with UNF. The Ospreys’ Ashley Parenteau made the preseason all-conference list after hitting a team-leading .386 and leading UNF in eight defensive categories. She earned All-America, all-region and all conference honors as well.

Jacksonville’s Shannon Jensen becomes the first Dolphin to earn preseason all-conference honors after tallying a 13- 11 record with 144 strikeouts last season. Jensen also posted a .295 average and 33 RBI with three home runs at the plate to be named A-Sun freshman of the year last season.

Only four other schools each had a player named to the preseason all-conference list. Katie Rosentreter (Mercer), Heather Collins (Lipscomb), Danielle Arriaga (FAU), Holly Harris (Campbell), Erin Mullen (Belmont) round out the team. A-Sun action begins on February 9 when Texas Tech takes on Jacksonville at 1 pm and UNF hosts Armstrong Atlantic at 2 pm.

Related Links:
 • 2006 Preseason Polls and All-Conference Team