IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced its Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll and Team Tuesday afternoon. Fifth Year Senior, Alyssa Marin, was tabbed as one of five Preseason All-Big West selections while the Gauchos were picked to finish seventh in the poll.
 
UC Santa Barbara is coming off a campaign that saw them go 16-15 overall and 10-10 in Big West action. The Gauchos earned the No. 6 seed in the tournament but fell in the first round to No. 7 seed, Long Beach State.
 
The Blue and Gold return four of their top five scorers from a season ago in Alyssa Marin, Skylar Burke, Anya Choice and Jessica Grant. In total the Gauchos return 11 players from the 2023-24 squad. Fans will also see
 
Alyssa Marin, a 2023-24 All-Big West Honorable Mention was voted as one of five players to the All-Big West Preseason Team. The Camarillo, California native averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game a season ago.
 
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2024-25 Women's Basketball team on Wednesday, Nov. 6 as they open against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in The Thunderdome. Season tickets are available and can be purchased online, in person or by phone at (805) 893-UCSB (8272).
 
To see interviews with Coach Jimenez and Marin, tune into The Big West Preseason Show on The Field of 68 YouTube channel.
 
2024-25 Big West Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Hawai'i - 96 (6)
2. UC Irvine - 95 (5)
3. UC Davis - 81
4. Long Beach State - 63
5. Cal Poly - 61
6. UC San Diego - 60
7. UC Santa Barbara - 52
8. UC Riverside - 40
9. Cal State Fullerton - 25
10. Cal State Bakersfield - 18
11. CSUN - 14
 
2024-25 All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team
Deja Lee - Guard - UC Irvine
Alyssa Marin - Guard - UC Santa Barbara
Daejah Phillips - Guard - Hawai'i
Tova Sabel - Guard - UC Davis
Sumayah Sugapong - Guard - UC San Diego
Lily Wahinekapu - Guard - Hawai'i