November 16, 2006
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University’s women’s basketball team was picked to finish second in the Heartland Conference this season in a poll of the leagues’ head coaches and sports information directors, it was announced by the league office.
The Rattlers received two first place votes and a total of 61 points in the poll. Montana State University-Billings was picked as the preseason favorite in the poll, with 10 first place votes and 76 points. St. Edward’s was third in the poll with 60 points. Oklahoma Panhandle State University received the last two first place votes, but was picked fifth.
Charlena Rodez (Sr., Cedar Park) was one of five players named to the Heartland Conference preseason all-conference team. Rodez finished second on the team in 2005-06 with 12.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. She hit on 51.8 percent of her shots from the field and 75.8 percent of her shots from the free throw line.
The Rattler women finished the 2005-06 season with a 17-13 record and won the Heartland Conference Tournament, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Jason Martens, who has served as the Rattlers assistant coach the last two years, took over as head coach for the 2006-07 season. St. Mary´s returns four starters from last season.