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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Monica Wright has a lot of work to do.

Last year's leading scorer in ACC women's basketball, the Virginia senior was voted the preseason Player of the Year, the league announced Monday.

Virginia coach Debbie Ryan called Wright one of the best players in the country, and when asked where Wright ranks among the stars in Virginia basketball history, Ryan said "at the top."

"She's right up there with Dawn Staley and Wendy Palmer," Ryan said, noting that both were national players of the year.

"Those are big shoes to fill," Wright said. "Those are people I look up to. Those are faces of the game of women's basketball. It makes you feel a little better, knowing she has confidence in me.

"And I have tons of confidence in her. She is someone I've aspired to be like. She's taught me great things, not just about basketball but how to be a good person."

Virginia was picked to finish fourth in the ACC preseason poll, and Ryan said Wright is responsible for helping develop the five freshmen players who will have to develop quickly for the Cavaliers to succeed.

"My favorite part is the big sister role, being a role model," Wright said.

North Carolina was named the preseason favorite, followed by Duke and Florida State. Maryland was the No.5 pick.

North Carolina's Tierra Ruffin-Pratt was named preseason Rookie of the Year.

Wright was the ACC's Rookie of the Year after the 2006-07 season and was an All-ACC second-team pick as a sophomore. She is the lone returning All-ACC first teamer this season.

"Monica's such a selfless player, both on and off the court," Ryan said. "Mon's job this year is she's got to help develop these players. ... She started that last year, this year she's got these five babies."

Wright isn't only concerned with her role as a leader. She is also working on improving her own game, including her 3-point shooting and her tempo.

Ryan said Wright generally plays at fast-break speed all of the time. She is working on switching up speeds "so she has the ability to play half court as well as full court, " Ryan said. "And she has improved her ability to stop and pop even from the 3-point line."

Hokies picked last

Beth Dunkenberger was fired up that her Hokies were picked last in the preseason poll.

"I don't think people are going to look at their schedule and say 'oh good, it's Virginia Tech,' " Dunkenberger said with steam coming out of her ears. "Just the opposite."

Hokies senior Utahya Drye predicted the ranking just means "we're gonna make some upsets this year."

Drye said the Hokies have emphasized in practice and team meetings that a missed rebound or a missed box out can cost a game.

"If you're tired, you can rest afterward," Drye said. "You have to let everybody know you're going to do your part, and everybody is going to be accountable."

Dunkenberger counted off the number of injuries and off-court woes Tech has endured over the past two seasons -- "I think we've been to nine funerals since last July and the end of the season" -- and said "I'm a big believer not in what happens to you, but how you react to it."

Dunkenberger noted that the current Hokies are 13 strong, and as yet healthy.

Breland's return uncertain

North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell said that Jessica Breland has finished her last of five months of chemotherapy treatments for Hodgkins Lymphoma and is waiting for clearance from doctors to resume playing.

Hatchell said a medical redshirt remains a possibility for Breland, who was an All-ACC preseason selection along with Wright, Duke's Jasmine Thomas, Boston College's Carolyn Swords and Florida State's Jacinta Monroe.

Breland has been coming to practice and shooting around, Hatchell said.

Predicted finish

1. North Carolina (30)

2. Duke (10)

3. Florida State (2)

4. Virginia

5. Maryland (3)

6. Boston College

7. Georgia Tech

8. Miami

9. N.C. State

10. Wake Forest

11. Clemson

12. Virginia Tech