Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball picked fifth in MVC Preseason Coaches Poll
08/13/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 13, 2009
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team was picked to finish fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference annual coaches' preseason poll, the team's highest pick since Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler took over the program five years ago.
The defending regular-season champion Wichita State volleyball team has been tabbed as the league favorite, receiving nine first-place votes. The Shockers tallied 99 points and were a sound favorite over second-place pick Missouri State (87 points and the remaining first-place vote) and UNI (83 points). Creighton, who totaled 67 points overall, was picked to finish in the fourth position.
SIU was selected in fifth place with 49 points, followed closely by Evansville in sixth with 47.
Illinois State (42), Drake (33), Bradley (24) and Indiana State (19) round out the final four positions in the poll.
Southern Illinois returns four starters from a 2008 team that saw the Salukis finish with their best record since 2002. Junior all-MVC outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger, who led the team in kills and digs last season, returns as the catalyst of the Saluki offense. Senior middle blocker Chandra Roberson, a second-team all-Valley selection in 2007, and junior Sydney Clark, will add to the Saluki offensive prowess. Southern Illinois will turn to underclassmen to step into the setter and libero positions, following the graduation of 2008 All-MVC pick Brooklyn Robbins and SIU's all-time digs leader Kristy Elswick.
2009 MVC Volleyball Preseason Poll
School (1st-Place Votes), Pts.
Wichita State (9), 99
Missouri State (1), 87
UNI, 83
Creighton, 67
Southern Illinois, 49
Evansville, 47
Illinois State, 42
Drake, 33
Bradley, 24
Indiana State, 19
Preseason favorite Wichita State is noted by three first-team all-conference selections, including two-time all-MVC outside hitter Emily Stockman, middle blocker Sarah McGee and sophomore setter Mary Elizabeth Hooper.
Missouri State lands all-MVC sophomore middle blocker Calli Norman and 2008 Valley Tournament MVP Cara Hackmann on the preseason squad.
UNI's second-team all-Valley senior outside hitter Shannon Aschoff was also recognized by the coaches to join the preseason list. All-MVC picks in Creighton senior middle blocker Jessica Houts and Illinois State senior outside hitter Peggy Riessen fill the remaining spots on the preseason all-Valley team.
2009 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team
Player, Team, Position, Class
Shannon Aschoff, UNI, OH, Sr.
Cara Hackmann, Missouri State, OH/DS, Jr.
Mary Elizabeth Hooper, Wichita State, S, So.
Jessica Houts, Creighton, MB, Sr.
Sarah McGee, Wichita State, MB, Jr.
Calli Norman, Missouri State, MB, So.
Peggy Riessen, Illinois State, OH, Sr.
Emily Stockman, Wichita State, OH, Sr.
