Murray State University Athletics
Sauer Earns Preseason All-OVC Honors; Racers Picked Sixth
7/27/2011 11:30:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Murray State volleyball senior Kayleah Sauer was named to the 2011 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team and the Racers were picked to finish sixth in the OVC Predicted Order of Finish poll released Wednesday by the conference office. The annual poll is voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
MSU finished the 2010 campaign in the semifinals of the OVC Championships, posting a 15-17 overall record. The Racers went 9-9 in league matches, tying for fourth in the conference standings. Heading into his 14th season, head coach David Schwepker will have the benefit of nine returning players from the 2010 squad, including three starters and the Preseason All-OVC selection libero Sauer. MSU also adds six newcomers to the 2011 roster, with two junior college transfers and four freshmen.
Sauer, the 2009 OVC Defensive Player of the Year, earned her preseason honors after finishing the 2010 campaign ranked No. 46 in the NCAA in digs per set (4.98) and No. 123 in service aces per set (0.32). Those numbers were also enough to rank her fourth in the OVC in digs and sixth in service aces.
Morehead State was picked to finish first after claiming the regular-season title last year. The Eagles received 13 of the 22 first-place votes and 192 points in preseason balloting. Austin Peay, who earned the 2010 tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament, finished second in the preseason voting, with five first-place votes and 172 total points. Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech round out the top four, with JSU earning three first-place votes and 141 points and TTU taking the last first-place vote and 130 points. Eastern Kentucky ranked fifth with 129 points, with the Racers coming in sixth with 102 points. Eastern Illinois (98), Tennessee State (85), Southeast Missouri (71), UT Martin (45) and first-year league participant SIU Edwardsville (44) rounded out the poll. Matches against the Cougars will count as a conference match this season, but SIUE will not be eligible for post-season play until the 2012-13 campaign.
The 2011 volleyball season gets underway Aug. 26 for the Racers, with their first league competition scheduled for Sep. 16 against SIUE.
2011 Preseason All-OVC Volleyball Team
( as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
Nikki Doyle, Austin Peay*#
Shaquita Williams, Tennessee State*
Ellie Roberson, Morehead State
Emma Keough, Morehead State
Kelsey Gray, Tennessee Tech
Chrissie Albers, Eastern Illinois
Kasey Elswick, UT Martin*
Jen Meyer, Jacksonville State
Ashley Edmond, Eastern Kentucky#
Reynae Hutchinson, Eastern Illinois#
Emily Coon, Southeast Missouri#
Kayleah Sauer, Murray State
Annie Gruenschlaeger, Morehead State
Ashley Doherty, UT Martin
* - All-OVC in 2010
# - All-Newcomer in 2010
2011 OVC Volleyball Predicted Team Order of Finish
(as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
1. Morehead State (13 first-place votes) - 192
2. Austin Peay (5 first-place votes) - 172
3. Jacksonville State (3 first-place votes) - 141
4. Tennessee Tech (1 first-place vote) - 130
5. Eastern Kentucky - 129
6. Murray State - 102
7. Eastern Illinois - 98
8. Tennessee State - 85
9. Southeast Missouri - 71
10. UT Martin – 45
11. SIU Edwardsville - 44
