Villanova University

Dec. 18, 2001

Villanova, Pa. ----- On Tuesday, Dec. 18, the Big East Conference announced that Villanova junior Sara Carlson (Langley, B.C.) was named Preseason Player of the Year and junior Theresa Hornick (Edmonds, Wash.) earned Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors. Villanova and Notre Dame each received 94 points to tie for the first spot in the 2002 Big East Softball Preseason Coaches Poll.

Carlson led the league in batting average last season (.455) and tallied 10 home runs and 34 RBIs. The 2001 All-Big East First Team member was also named to the NFCA All-America Second Team. In her first two seasons on the Main Line Carlson has 16 home runs and 79 RBIs while batting .398.

Hornick won 18 games for the Wildcats a year ago and limited her opponents to a .164 batting average, which ranked second in the league. The junior recorded a 0.90 ERA, 155 strikeouts and eight shutouts en route to All-Big East Second Team honors.

With 94 total points and four first-place votes in the preseason poll, the Wildcats received their highest preseason conference ranking in the program's history. Villanova is coming off a 43-10 season and a second-place BIG EAST finish. The Wildcats' 15 wins in league play set a new school record.

Notre Dame received six first-place votes after finishing 2001 with a 54-7 record and a trip to the championship round of the NCAA Regionals.

Seton Hall was picked to finish third following the school's first berth to the NCAA Tournament. Preseason All-BIG EAST selections Kim Jackson, McKenzie Richards and Mary Carroll Smith return from last year's 29-16 squad.

Virginia Tech grabbed the remaining first-place vote and the fourth spot in the poll after compiling a 12-8 BIG EAST record in its first season in the league.

Defending BIG EAST Tournament champion Connecticut finished fifth in the voting. The Huskies will be led by senior Lisa Girolamo and Barb Cook, the 2001 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player.

Rounding out the preseason poll are Boston College, St. John's, Syracuse, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Providence.

Carlson and Hornick begin their quest to return to the Big East Championships on Sunday, March 3, when the Wildcats travel to Orlando, Fla., to participate in the Rebel Spring Games.

For a complete listing of the preseason honors and preseason coaches poll see below.

For more information contact Villanova Media Relations Assistant, Kevin Fischer at (610) 519-6460.

P       Barb Cook, Jr., Connecticut
P       Theresa Hornick, Jr., Villanova
C       Jarrah Myers, Sr., Notre Dame
IF      Andria Bledsoe, Jr., Notre Dame
IF      Lisa Girolamo, Sr., Connecticut
IF      Kim Jackson, Sr., Seton Hall
IF      Andrea Loman, Jr., Notre Dame*
OF      Christina Holowich, Jr., Syracuse
OF      Jenny Kriech, Sr., Notre Dame
OF      McKenzie Richards, So., Seton Hall
OF      Mary Carroll Smith, So., Seton Hall
U       Sara Carlson, Jr., Villanova
DP      Lisa Mattison, Jr., Notre Dame

* - indicates unanimous selection Due to a tie in the voting,there are four outfielders on the 2002 preseason team.

                            2001 records  2001          Finish
    School           Points   BIG EAST    Overall    Regular Season
1t. Notre Dame (6)     94      20-0      54-7-0       1st
    Villanova (4)      94      15-5      43-10-0      2nd
3.  Seton Hall         73      13-7      29-16-0      4th
4.  Virginia Tech(1)   68      12-8      36-23-0      5th
5.  Connecticut        64      14-6      36-23-0      3rd
6.  Boston College     55      7-13      31-24-0      7th
7.  St. John's         50      8-12      30-31-0      6th
8.  Syracuse           41      6-14      19-28-0      t-8th
9.  Rutgers            35      5-15      22-27-0      10th
10. Pittsburgh         19      6-14      14-39-0      t-8th
11. Providence         12      4-16      23-28-1      11th

First-place votes in parentheses.