MSU women picked fifth

The WCHA women's preseason coaches poll was unveiled Tuesday and Minnesota State was picked to finish fifth, the same place they ended last season.

Not surprisingly, two-time defending national champ Wisconsin was first, receiving seven of the eight first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for themselves) and 49 points, followed by Minnesota Duluth (one first-place vote, 42 points), Minnesota (37), Ohio State (31), MSU (23), St. Cloud State (22), Bemidji State (13) and North Dakota (7).

Minnesota forward Gigi Marvin was voted preseason player of the year, and Wisconsin forward Hillary Knight was named preseason rookie of the year.

Somewhat surprisingly, MSU senior goaltender Brit Kehler did not receive votes for player of the year.