by ROY, Alabama – Troy women’s basketball senior Ashley Beverly Kelley was a first team selection and junior Caitlyn Ramirez (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) was a third team selection on the All-Sun Belt Preseason Team, the league office announced on Tuesday.
“Its an honor that out of 11 teams we had two players chosen All-Sun Belt Preseason,” Troy head coach Chanda Rigby said. “I believe that both of these players will not only meet, but exceed everyone’s preseason expectations.”
Ramirez, a native of Shawnee, Okla., averaged 6.5 points in 3.8 rebounds per game last season, but started Troy’s final 12 games last season and averaged 7.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over that span.
The 6-foot-2 forward scored in double figures nine times, including a season-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting in Troy’s win over Samford, a performance that earned her Sun Belt Player of the Week honors.
In addition to the two All-Sun Belt Preseason awards, the Trojans were picked to finish fifth in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Troy is coming off of a 20-11 season in 2014-15, including a 15-5 mark in Sun Belt play and a third place finish in the league standings. The Trojans played in the WBI, making the program’s first postseason appearance in nearly two decades.
“We were definitely picked to finish in a lower spot in the preseason poll than we expect to finish,” Rigby said. “We will work everyday and fight to finish higher than that prediction.”
Troy opens its fourth season under Rigby with an exhibition game on November 5 when Stillman visits Trojan Arena at 5:15 p.m. The Troy men will also play an exhibition game that night at 7:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader.
The Troy women open their regular season at home on November 13 when West Alabama visits for a 12 p.m. contest.
For more information on Troy women’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @TroyTrojansWBB.
