Murray State University Athletics
Volleyball Picked to Finish Third in OVC Preseason Poll
8/4/2010 12:47:14 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Racers posted a 13-18 overall record in 2009, while going 11-7 in the OVC to place fourth. David Schwepker begins his 13th season as the head coach at MSU and will have six starters and the libero returning to the court this year.
Guo, a 2009 All-OVC second-team selection was third in the league with 10.12 assists per game while also tallying 132 kills and 201 digs last year. Sauer returns after being named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year last season. The Louisville, Ky., native ranked third in the OVC with 5.01 digs per set while recording 5.57 digs per set in OVC action. Lamb finished the season with 2.54 kills per set and 129 digs.
Morehead State was been picked to finish first after finishing as the runner-up in the league's tournament last year. The Eagles received 11 of the 20 first-place votes and 153 points in preseason balloting. Jacksonville State, which captured both the regular-season and tournament titles last year, received the remaining nine first-place nods and 139 points to be selected to finish second followed by Murray State with 133 points. Eastern Kentucky is predicted to finish fourth with 105 points while Tennessee Tech earned 99 points to be selected fifth. Austin Peay (93), Southeast Missouri (65), Eastern Illinois (41), Tennessee State (39) and UT Martin (33) round out the poll.
The 2010 volleyball season gets underway on Aug. 27 with Conference play starting Sept. 17.
2010 Preseason All-OVC Volleyball Team
( as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
Caitlin Vorbeck, Jacksonville State*
Kaitlin Craven, Morehead State*
Leah Meffert, Tennessee Tech*
Sarah Alisaleh, Austin Peay*
Emma Keough, Morehead State*
Abby O'Connor, Eastern Kentucky#
Jade Guo, Murray State#
Lauren Synder, Eastern Kentucky#
Kayleah Sauer, Murray State#
Becca Lamb, Murray State#
Jessica Mollman, Austin Peay
Alex Zwettler, Eastern Illinois
Jen Meyer, Jacksonville State
Annie Gruenschlaeger, Morehead State
* - 1st Team All-OVC in 2009
# - 2nd Team All-OVC in 2009
2010 OVC Volleyball Predicted Team Order of Finish
(as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
1. Morehead State (11 first-place votes) - 153
2. Jacksonville State (Nine first-place votes) - 139
3. Murray State - 133
4. Eastern Kentucky - 105
5. Tennessee Tech - 99
6. Austin Peay - 93
7. Southeast Missouri - 65
8. Eastern Illinois - 41
9. Tennessee State - 39
10. UT Martin - 33
