CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Returning four starters from last season's team that reached the conference tournament final, Campbell has been picked to finish second in the 2021-22 Big South preseason poll.
Senior guard Shy Tuelle was named to the preseason all-conference first team while redshirt-senior forward Taya Bolden garnered second team all-conference honors.
"While I am happy for the recognition that Shy, Taya and our team have received in the preseason, we know these accolades are based on past performance and projections," said head coach Ronny Fisher. "We are focused on daily improvement and striving to reach our potential as a team in hopes of being recognized in postseason polls and all-conference teams."
Last season Campbell finished with a 16-7 overall record after reaching the conference title game. Tuelle was named to the Big South all-conference first team while Bolden earned second team honors.
"Our players are working hard preparing for the season and our goal will to be peak as we arrive at Bojangles Coliseum for the Big South Tournament in March."
Reiniging conference champions High Point received 11 first-place votes and 143 points overall to finish ahead of the Camels who received 121 points. Campbell ranks ahead of Longwood (119), newcomer North Carolina A&T (114), Gardner-Webb (93), Radford (76), UNC Asheville (70), Presbyterian (70), Hampton (50), USC Upstate (38), Winthrop (23) and Charleston Southern (18).
"I believe the competition level among our the teams this season will be the highest of my 13 years in the league," said Fisher. "I cannot remember a year where our conference has returned this many talented players. Also, the addition of a very good North Carolina A&T program makes the league even stronger."
Tuelle was joined on the first team by preseason player of the year Skyler Curran of High Point, Kyla McMakin and Akila Smith of Longwood and Nadiria Evans of UNC Asheville.
Bolden was joined on the second team by Jenson Edwards on High Point, Chanin Scott of NC A&T, Nylah Young of Hampton and Alasia Smith of Gardner-Webb.
A native of Hampton, Tenn., Tuelle has scored in double figures 43 times in three seasons. In total she stands at 849 points in her career while ranking third in school history with 156 three-pointers. Tuelle averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a team-best 1.6 steals in 32.9 minutes per game last season.
Entering her sixth season at Campbell, Bolden enters the 2021-22 season 92 points and 69 rebounds shy of 1,000 for each in her career. Last season she led the team averaging 11.5 points and 9.4 rebounds. Bolden reached double-figures in either points or rebounds in 20 of 22 games.
Campbell opens the season with three games at home starting with Pfeiffer on Nov. 9 at Gore Arena.
The 18-game Big South schedule begins Dec. 29 when Campbell hosts Hampton. The Big South Championship is set for Mar. 1-6 at Bojangles' Arena in Charlotte.
Season Tickets on sale
Season tickets for all 31 Campbell men's and women's basketball home games at Gore Arena in the Pope Convocation Center are just $165. Tickets are available online at GoCamels.com/tickets, and by phone through the CU Athletics Ticket Office, at 910-893-1459.
CU faculty and staff can also purchase season tickets at a reduced rate ($110) by contacting the CU Athletics Ticket Office.
New for 2021-22, Campbell Basketball ticketing will move to a 100 percent mobile platform.
According to University policy, face coverings are required when inside any Campbell University facility, until further notice. This requirement applies to all students, faculty, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
For updates, follow Campbell Ticketing on Twitter (@GoCamelsTix)
2021-22 Big South Preseason Poll
1. High Point (11 first place votes) 143
2. Campbell 121
3. Longwood 119
4. North Carolina A&T (1) 114
5. Gardner-Webb 93
6. Radford 76
T-7. UNC Asheville 70
T-7. Presbyterian 70
9. Hampton 50
10. USC Upstate 38
11. Winthrop 23
12. Charleston Southern 18
First-Team
Skyler Curran, High Point*
Kyla McMakin, Longwood
Akila Smith, Longwood
Nadiria Evans, UNC Asheville
Shy Tuelle, Campbell
Second-Team
Jenson Edwards, High Point
Chanin Scott, North Carolina A&T
Taya Bolden, Campbell
Nylah Young, Hampton
Alasia Smith, Gardner-Webb
*Preseason Player of the Year
