Big Sky Conference

Ferenz named preseason MVP; reigning MVP Smith named preseason All-Big Sky

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OGDEN, Utah (October 17, 2018) – After a thrilling run to the Big Sky women’s basketball championship game last season, Idaho guard Mikayla Ferenz has been named the Big Sky Women’s Basketball Preseason MVP as one of six preseason all-conference honorees. The team was voted on by the conference’s coaches, sports information directors and Big Sky media members. Coaches were allowed to vote for their own players.

Ferenz is accompanied by fellow guard and teammate Taylor Pierce, as well as another set of teammates in Portland State’s Ashley Bolston and Sidney Rielly. The Preseason All-Conference squad also features Northern Colorado’s reigning Big Sky MVP Savannah Smith and Idaho State’s Grace Kenyon.

Portland State guard Ashley Bolston (0)/by Brooks Nuanez

Ferenz capped the 2017-18 campaign with 742 points, tying Idaho State’s Natalie Doma for the Big Sky single-season scoring record. The All-Big Sky First Team selection currently ranks 13th on the Big Sky’s all-time scoring list with 1,717 points. She needs 580 points to pass Doma for sole possession of the Big Sky’s career scoring title.

Pierce, the other member of Idaho’s dynamic duo, tied the Big Sky’s single-game record for 3-pointers made (9) and broke the single-season record for 3-pointers made (137). Pierce also currently holds the Big Sky record for career 3-pointers made (318) with her senior season still left to play.

Returning as both the Big Sky MVP and Big Sky Tournament MVP, Northern Colorado’s Savannah Smith will attempt to guide the Bears to back-to-back Big Sky Championships. The first team all-conference honoree made her mark during the postseason with a Big Sky Tournament record 78 points scored over three tournament games.

Portland State’s Bolston and Rielly were both honored last season with All-Big Sky recognition as Bolston was named to the second team and Rielly to the third team. The two senior guards combine to average 33 points per game and look to guide the Vikings to a Big Sky title in 2018-19.

Kenyon, the only forward among the list of preseason honorees, Kenyon stuffs Idaho State’s stat sheet in several categories. The Second Team All-Big Sky recipient averaged 12.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game last season.

2018-19 BIG SKY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

NAME                                      POSITION        CLASS             SCHOOL                      HOMETOWN

Mikayla Ferenz (MVP)            Guard              Senior              Idaho                           Walla Walla, Wash.

Savannah Smith                      Guard              Senior              Northern Colorado     Fort Collins, Colo.

Ashley Bolston                        Guard              Senior              Portland State            Medford, Ore.

Taylor Pierce                           Guard              Senior              Idaho                           Carlsbad, Calif.

Grace Kenyon                         Forward          Senior              Idaho State                 Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Sidney Rielly                           Guard              Senior              Portland State            Everett, Wash.

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