Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball's Kristie Kemner Named Preseason All-MVC
07/24/2002 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
July 24, 2002
St. Louis, Mo. - Southern Illinois University senior Kristie Kemner was named to the 2002 Preseason All-Conference Team, while the Saluki volleyball team was picked to finish eighth in the 2002 Volleyball Preseason Poll released by the Missouri Valley Conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Kemner, a 2001 First-Team, All-MVC pick who finished third in the MVC in kills (4.13) and fifth in digs (3.48) in 2001, picked up her first preseason all-MVC honor.
"It's good for our program to have Kristie recieve that kind of recognition. She is a quality player and very deserving. It will be even better when our team exceeds the expectations the rest of the league has of us," said Sonya Locke, SIU head coach.
The Salukis finished tied for seventh in 2001 with an 11-19 overall and a 5-13 MVC record, after being picked ninth in the preseason. SIU returns fourstarters and expects to qualify for the MVC Tournament (top six) in 2002, not finish in the predicted eighth place.
"I think our players deserve more respect than eighth place. We have four starters coming back and I hope that our team displays the level of respect that we deserve this season," added Locke.
Northern Iowa was picked to win the MVC once again after winning the Valley with a 17-1 MVC record in 2001 and a 31-2 overall record including a trip to the Sweet 16.
The MVC Tournament will be played in Peoria, Illinois at Bradley University's Robertson Memorial Field House on November 23-24. The six team tournament will include host Bradley and the remaining five top teams in MVC play.
2002 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team
Player, School Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown
Jill Arganbright, UNI S 5-10 Jr. Iowa City, Iowa
Stephanie Behrns, BU ATT 5-10 Sr. Dieterich, Ill.
Kristie Kemner, SIU OH 5-11 Sr. Quincy, Ill.
Kim Kester, UNI OH 5-10 Sr. Urbana, Iowa
Molly O'Brien, UNI MH 6-0 Jr. Parnell, Iowa
Linette White, SMS MB 5-10 Jr. Oklahoma City, Okla.
2002 MVC PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL COACHES POLL
# Team (Votes) Pts.
1. Northern Iowa (8).. .................... 98
2. SMS (2)................................. 91
3. Bradley ..................................84
4. Illinois State ..........................73
5. Wichita State ...........................52
6. Indiana State ...........................47
7. Creighton ...............................46
8. Southern Illinois .......................36
9. Evansville ..............................17
10. Drake ..................................13
