Buescher, a 6-foot-3 guard, has posted 15 double-doubles this season while leading the Gauchos to an undefeated Big West season and No. 9 ranking in this week's ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll. UCSB is 25-3, and owns the nation's longest winning streak at 21 games.

In addition to its Player of the Year Award, the WBNS also selected four other collegiate awards, three of which were given to juniors. The WBNS also released its All-America first team, its All-Freshmen first team and its Conference Players of the Year.

The Women's Basketball News Service, which picked Maylana Martin as its Preseason Player of the Year, is comprised of the United States Basketball Writers Association, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and the Metro Conference Sports Writers Association.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NEWS SERVICE AWARDS
AWARD	WINNER	SCHOOL
Player of the Year	Erin Buescher (jr., guard, 6-3)	UC Santa Barbara
Freshman of the Year	Alicia Ratay (fr., guard, 5-10)	Notre Dame
Defensive Player of the Year	Nicole Kubik (sr., guard, 5-6)	Nebraska
Comeback Player of the Year	Sue Bird (so., guard, 5-9)	Connecticut
Coach of the Year	Andy Landers	Georgia