University of Connecticut women's basketball players Maya Moore and Tina Charles have been named to the 2009 Associated Preseason All-America Team, which was released Tuesday.

The pair of UConn players selected marks the third time Connecticut has had multiple players named to the preseason squad and just the fifth time ever in which any program has had more than one player honored.

Connecticut saw Jennifer Rizzotti and Kara Wolters named in 1995-96 and Shea Ralph and Svetlana Abrosimova in 2000-01.

Moore was a unanimous choice, becoming the seventh player in the history of the team to receive all possible votes. "It's a great honor to be mentioned with them," said Moore, who was one vote short of being an unanimous choice last preseason. "I've been truly blessed to have such great teammates."

Jayne Appel of Stanford, Jantel Lavender of Ohio State and Monica Wright of Virginia round out the squad selected by a national media panel.

Moore has already made the All-America team in her first two years and was the AP's player of the year last season. She averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 rebounds last season in helping UConn to a 39-0 record. The Huskies are a unanimous No. 1 in the preseason poll this year.

Charles stepped up her game in the NCAA tournament, earning most outstanding player honors. The senior center is on pace to set the school career scoring record.

"Tina really has made huge strides in consistency over the last few months starting with the NCAA tournament and going through the summer playing with USA basketball," Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said. "She saw what she can do and now just needs to do it every game."