OGDEN, Utah— The Big Sky Conference announced its preseason women's basketball All-Conference team on Wednesday.

Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce, nicknamed "The Splash Sisters," were two of six players from across the conference acknowledged on Wednesday morning, with Ferenz selected as All-Big Sky MVP and Pierce named to the preseason all-conference team. The voting panel consisted of the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media members.

"Mikayla and Taylor have had great careers so far here at Idaho, and I am happy to see the respect they have earned from the coaches in the league," said head coach Jon Newlee. "They are both extremely team-oriented, and I know they are focused on getting the Vandals back to playing in the NCAA Tournament as they did as freshmen. The Big Sky is loaded with talent, and I'm sure it will be an exciting season!"

Ferenz is the Big Sky's leading returning scorer after averaging 22.5 points per game as a junior. The Walla Walla, Washington native ranks seventh in the NCAA with her 22.5 points per game. She currently has the second-best scoring season in Idaho history, totaling 724 points this season. Ferenz is fourth in the NCAA in 3-point field goals (127) and 3's per game (3.97). A season ago, she led Idaho in scoring 17 times and has scored 30 or more points on seven occasions. Other accolades include First Team All-Big Sky, Big Sky All-Tournament, Big Sky Academic All-Conference, CoSIDA Academic All-District and First Team Academic All-America.

Pierce averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. She ranked second in the Big Sky shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range (137-339). The Carlsbad, California native set school-record for most three-point field goals made in a season with 137, which put her 2nd in the NCAA. Pierce also set a Big Sky record with 318 career 3-pointers and a Big Sky Tournament record of 20 three-point field goals made. Last season she took home Big Sky Honorable Mention, Big Sky All-Tournament and Academic All-Conference.

On Thursday morning, the league will announce the 2018-2019 preseason coaches' and media polls.

BIG SKY PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
NAME                                      POSITION        CLASS             SCHOOL                      HOMETOWN
Mikayla Ferenz (MVP)            Guard              Senior              Idaho                          Walla Walla, Wash.
Savannah Smith                      Guard             Senior              Northern Colorado      Fort Collins, Colo.
Ashley Bolston                        Guard              Senior              Portland State            Medford, Ore.
Taylor Pierce                           Guard              Senior              Idaho                          Carlsbad, Calif.
Grace Kenyon                         Forward          Senior              Idaho State                 Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Sidney Rielly                           Guard              Senior              Portland State            Everett, Wash.