FRISCO, Texas – Nicholls State University women's basketball was voted to finish in fourth place and received one first-place vote as the Southland Conference announced Tuesday its 2021-22 preseason poll and teams.
Nicholls had two representatives on the preseason squad as junior forward
Chelsea Cain was a first-team honoree and senior guard
Chyna Allen landed on second team.
Cain was an automatic selection after earning All-Southland First Team in her sophomore campaign. The Prairieville native had a breakout season, ranking second in the league in scoring (17.0 ppg) and third in rebounding (8.0 rpg). Cain posted five 20-point double-double efforts, including a career high 29 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Sam Houston.
Allen was voted onto the second team after averaging 8.8 points in her first season with the Colonels. A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Allen helped Nicholls to a tournament victory over Abilene Christian with 18 points and 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range.
Southeastern was the preseason favorite, collecting 13 of the 15 first-place votes with HBU and Nicholls each receiving one. The Lady Lions totaled 168 points and were followed by HBU (148), UIW (147), and Nicholls (136). SLU had three all-league selections including two on first team.
2021-22 Southland Conference Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Teams
| First Team |
School |
Pos. |
Class |
Hometown |
| Timia Jefferson * |
HBU |
G |
Jr. |
Mansfield, Texas |
| Divine Tanks* |
McNeese |
F |
Jr. |
Lake Charles, La. |
| Chelsea Cain * |
Nicholls |
F |
Jr. |
Prairieville, La. |
| Morgan Carrier * |
Southeastern |
G/F |
Sr. |
New Iberia, La. |
| Hailey Giaratano * |
Southeastern |
G |
So. |
Ponchatoula, La. |
| Second Team |
School |
Pos. |
Class |
Hometown |
| Kennedy Wilson |
HBU |
G |
So. |
Mansfield, Texas |
| Jaaucklyn Moore |
UIW |
G |
So. |
Round Rock, Texas |
| Chyna Allen |
Nicholls |
G |
Sr. |
Gulfport, Miss. |
| Caitlyn Williams |
Southeastern |
F |
Sr. |
Brusly, La. |
| Alecia Westbrook |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
F/C |
Jr. |
Kansas City, Mo. |
* Automatic Selection, 2020-21 All-Conference Team Member
2021-22 Southland Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
|
School (First-place votes) |
Total |
| 1. |
Southeastern (13) |
168 |
| 2. |
HBU (1) |
148 |
| 3. |
UIW |
147 |
| 4. |
Nicholls (1) |
1369 |
| 5. |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
133 |
| 6. |
McNeese |
110 |
| 7. |
New Orleans |
90 |
| 8. |
Northwestern State |
89 |
