Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 1, 1994                   TAG: 9411010090
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

TECH WOMEN TOP PICK

That's the preseason prediction by the Metro's seven coaches in balloting announced Monday as the league held its media day via teleconference.

Coach Carol Alfano's Hokies received 48 of a possible 49 points in the voting by seven coaches. Virginia Commonwealth was placed seventh and last.

Tech forward Christi Osborne was a unanimous first-team choice to the preseason all-conference squad. Center Jenny Root also made the first team and guard Lisa Leftwich rounded out the Hokies' senior honorees with a second-team berth.

The Hokies open their season two weeks from tonight at Maryland in the Women's Preseason NIT.

In separate balloting on the men's season by league coaches and the Metro Conference Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association, Tech placed fourth in each poll after an 18-10 finish last season.

Tulane was the media and coaches' pick for the men's title, with UNC Charlotte second and Louisville third by the coaches and reversed by the writers and broadcasters. Virginia Commonwealth was seventh and last in each poll.

The all-conference preseason men's team, headed by unanimous selection Jarvis Lang of UNCC at forward, included no Hokies on the first team. Tech forwards Ace Custis and Shawn Smith were second-teamers.