Koetsier earns preseason MAC honor
Oct. 10, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University sophomore Kristin Koetsier has picked up where she left off during her impressive debut season.
Koetsier was one of five women's basketball players in the Mid-American Conference named to the Preseason All-MAC Basketball Team, announced by the league on Wednesday (Oct. 4). Joining Koetsier on the team are Tiffany Bell (Buffalo), Cheryl Bowles (Akron), Francine Miller (Bowling Green), and Stephanie Smiley (Eastern Michigan).
Last year Koetsier became the first MAC Freshman of the Year in 12 seasons to be named to the all-conference first team. She is the lone underclassman on the 2000 Preseason All-MAC roster.
"Kristin is very deserving of Preseason All-MAC and or postseason conference awards because of her play and potential for this year," WMU head coach Ron Stewart said. "Beyond that she is a person that is working extremely hard to maintain that position. She is battling an injury right now and preparing to stay in that position and lead the team."
Koetsier established MAC and WMU freshman scoring records and was ranked among conference leaders in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocked shots. The runner-up for MAC Player of the Year, Koetsier was also named to the Women's Basketball News Service and Women's Basketball Journal Freshman All-American teams and was named MAC Player of the Week a league-high five times.
The sophomore played a key role in helping Western Michigan claim the 2000 MAC West Division Championship with a 14-2 record. WMU was 18-12 overall and lost 69-64 to DePaul in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament in Kalamazoo.
Koetsier's selection to the team marks the third consecutive season a Bronco was named to the All-MAC Preseason team. Former WMU standout Shelsea Erving was selected to the 1998 and 1999 teams.
MAC Women's Basketball Media Day will be held Oct. 18 at the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland. Members of the Preseason All-MAC team will be available for interviews.
The Broncos host exhibition games versus the Chicago Challengers (Nov. 2) and Illirija-Slovenia (Nov. 7) at University Arena before opening the 2000-01 regular season at Detroit Nov. 22. Western Michigan hosts Kansas State Dec. 5 in its home opener.
For more information, visit the Broncos on the Web <www.wmubroncos.com>.
Media contact: Geoff Brown; 616 387-4138; geoffrey.brown@wmich.edu