Volleyball Picked Fourth in Preseason Poll

The Murray State University volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll. Senior Heather Norris was also named to the 2008 All-OVC Preseason First Team. Voting for the preseason predictions was conducted by the OVC's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Racers received 120 points, while Morehead State (151 points/10 first-place votes) was the preseason favorite after earning a share of its sixth crown last season. Tennessee Tech (129 points/five first-place votes) was the No. 2 pick, while Southeast Missouri State (127 points/four first-place votes) was picked to finish third. Tennessee State garnered the final first-place vote and 103 points to be picked fifth. Jacksonville State (100 points), Eastern Kentucky (55 points), Eastern Illinois (53 points), Austin Peay (32 points) and UT Martin (30 points) round out the poll.

“I think that our preseason pick is reflective of where we finished last year,” said head coach David Schwepker. “I don't like to have a big target on my back so I'd rather be under the radar instead of everyone gunning for you.”

The 14-member preseason All-OVC team features five student-athletes that were named to the All-OVC squad last year. The first team is comprised of Morehead State senior middle hitter Erin Peak (Georgetown, Ky.) and senior setter Katelyn Barbour (Florence, Ky.); Southeast Missouri junior outside hitter Karleigh DeLong (Corona, Calif.); Tennessee Tech sophomore Leah Meffert (Louisville,Ky.); Tennessee State middle blocker/outside hitter Christian Lowe (San Antonio, Texas); Murray State libero Heather Norris (Naperville, Ill.); and Eastern Kentucky senior middle blocker Amanda Wilson (Euclid, Ohio).

Norris ended the 2007 season ranked in the No. 3 spot in the OVC for her 5.97 digs/gm and was No. 12 in the nation in the same category. The Naperville, Ill., native was also ranked No. 8 in the OVC in service aces (0.37/gm).

Receiving preseason All-OVC second team accolades are Tennessee Tech junior libero/outside hitter Katie Kenline (Ossian, Ind.) and junior outside hitter Amanda Lindgren (Albuquerque, N.M.); Morehead State senior outside hitter Ashley Doscher (Frisco, Texas); Eastern Illinois outside hitter Alex Zwettler (Madison, Wis.); Jacksonville State junior outside hitter Brittney Whitten (Boonville, Ind.); Tennessee State senior setter Candace Salaeumua (Chula Vista, Calif.); and senior outside hitter Aubrey Dondlinger (Palos Heights, Ill.).

Murray State will begin the 2008 season at the James Madison University Days Inn Invitational, Aug. 29-30 and will remain on the road until Sept. 26 when they face conference rival Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. in Racer Arena. Conference action will begin Sept. 16 at UT Martin.

2008 Preseason OVC Poll

1. Morehead State (151 points/10 First-Place Votes)

2. Tennessee Tech (129 points (5 First-Place Votes)

3. Southeast Missouri State (127 points/4 First-Place Votes)

4. Murray State (120 points)

5. Tennessee State (103 points/1 First-Place Vote)

6. Jacksonville State (100 points)

7. Eastern Kentucky (55 points)

8. Eastern Illinois (53 points)

9. Austin Peay (32 points)

10. UT Martin (30 points)

Murray State University Athletics

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