LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama women’s basketball team opens the 2007-2008 season, as the Tigers travel to Montevallo, Ala. to take part in the UM Coca-Cola Classic this weekend. UWA opens the classic in a 1:00 p.m. tip-off against Auburn Montgomery on Friday, November 16^th at People's Bank and Trust Arena.

The Tigers were selected fifth in the East Division in the GSC Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll. Pre-Season All-GSC East Division honoree Ashton Washington leads the Tigers. The senior forward from Lexington, Miss. led the conference in rebounds with 9.4 per game while pacing UWA in scoring with 12 points per game.

The women’s basketball team will see a mixture of returning players along with newcomers to the program. Six letter winners return for the season, along with six new faces. Seniors Jessica Thompson, Ayonna Procter and Irimar Hernandez join Washington with sophomores Jenni Thomley and Amber Walker rounding out the returning players.

Four Mississippi JUCO players make up a majority of the newcomers to the team. Omeshia Frost, Valerie Harris, Danielle Baldwin and Dominique Whitfield all made their way to Livingston and are joined by sophomore Jordana Crowdis and freshman Hannah Phillips.

UWA fell in its only exhibition contest in the pre-season, as the Tigers stumbled in an 80-53 contest against Southeastern Conference foe Alabama at Coleman Coliseum. Washington led the way with 12 points and nine rebounds with Baldwin adding 11 points.

West Alabama will close the tournament on Saturday, November 17^th, as the Tigers will face-off with GSC West Division foe Harding at 1:00 p.m.