VALDOSTA, Ga.- Coming off a Gulf South Conference title game appearance, the Valdosta State women's basketball team was picked fifth in the GSC Preseason Women's Basketball Poll, released Thursday.
 
Lee University received the top nod with nine first-place votes and 140 points, while Union University was picked second with four first-place votes and 134 points, as the poll was voted on by the league's coaches. 
 
West Florida was tabbed third with 118 points, followed by Delta State (115 points) and the Lady Blazers rounded out the top five with 87 points.   Just behind VSU was West Georgia (85) and Alabama Huntsville was seventh with 83 points. West Alabama (69) and Montevallo (65) were picked eighth and ninth, respectively, while Auburn Montgomery totaled 39 points to round out the top ten.  Mississippi College (33) was picked 11th and Christian Brothers (32) was 12th, while Shorter rounded out the poll with 14 points.
 
The Lady Blazers welcomed new head coach Deandra Schirmer in May.  Schirmer came to Titletown from Eckerd College in Florida, where she served as the assistant coach for the past five years.  Schirmer was elevated to Associate Head Coach in 2018 and served as recruiting coordinator for the Tritons, where her leadership and player development helped produce the three most successful seasons in program history.  This past season, Eckerd went 22-10 and earned a berth in its fourth regional in five years.  Schirmer helped guide Eckerd to a 106-45 record during her time in St. Petersburg, Fla.
 
VSU transfers Cheray Saunders of Nova Southeastern and Saniah Simpson-Patu of Saint Martin's were named to the GSC Top Newcomer's squad for 2019-2020.  Fresh off a NCAA DII Tournament appearance, Saunders averaged 5.1 points per game for the Sharks on 43.1 percent shooting.  She was third on the team in steals with 28.  During her time at Saint Martin's, Simpson-Patu averaged 12.4 points per game, three rebounds and two assists.
 
Junior guard Kayla Bonilla returns as the leading scorer and rebounder for the Lady Blazers, as the Columbus, Ga., native, averaged 12.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.  Along with Bonilla, senior Nari Garner, sophomore Kayla Frey, sophomore Abby Rouse and junior Germani Abram also return for the 2019-2020 season.
 
The Lady Blazers open practice Oct. 15 and open the 2019-2020 season with an exhibition against the University of Florida on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.  VSU will then open the its regular season with the Gulf South Conference/Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crossover Nov. 8-9 at The Complex facing Fort Valley State and Albany State. 
 
Please visit vstateblazers.com all season long for information on the Lady Blazers and all of VSU's 12 intercollegiate athletic programs.