BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of West Alabama women’s basketball player Ashton Washington was named to the 2007-2008 Gulf South Conference Pre-Season Women’s Basketball East Division Team, as announced by the conference office on Thursday afternoon.

Washington, a native of Lexington, Miss., was a First Team All-GSC performer last season after leading the GSC in rebounds with 9.4 per game and UWA in scoring with 12 points outing.

This marks the second time the senior forward has been named to the pre-season list.

Along with the pre-season teams being announced the GSC also released the Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll. The Tigers were selected fifth, by the conference head coaches, in the East Division with 20 total points. Valdosta State was voted first in the division with 33 points and received four of the first place votes. North Alabama was chosen second with two first place votes and 26 points with West Georgia back two points in third. West Florida received the final first place vote in fourth while UAH and Montevallo round out the division respectively.

The selection for overall champion was led by the West Division with Delta State receiving 12 votes. Arkansas Tech, Henderson State and West Florida all received one vote each for overall champion.

West Alabama tips-off the season Monday, October 29, in an exhibition game at Southern Miss. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. The regular season begins with the Tigers facing the University of Auburn at Montgomery on Friday, November 16, in the UM Coca-Cola Classic on the Montevallo campus. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.