Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Photo by: Will Becque
Volleyball picked fifth in MVC Preseason Poll
08/16/2017 | 9:59:00 | Women's Volleyball
Andrea Estrada selected to Preseason All-MVC team
ST. LOUIS — The Southern Illinois volleyball team was picked fifth in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll, the league announced Wednesday morning.
Voted on by the league's coaches, this year marks the fifth-straight season in which the Salukis have been selected to the top-five.
Fresh off a MVC regular season championship and an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament, Missouri State was tabbed as the preseason favorite. The Lady Bears accumulated 99 points and nine first-place votes. Northern Iowa claimed second with 89 points and one first-place vote, while Illinois State (76) and Loyola (67) placed third and fourth, respectively. SIU tallied 64 points to finish fifth and was picked ahead of Drake (48), Valparaiso (33), Bradley (32), Indiana State (26) and Evansville (16).
The Salukis are coming off a 21-12 season, which included a 12-6 mark in MVC play. Under the direction of first-year head coach Kari Thompson, Southern returns nine letterwinners from 2016, including three starters.
In addition, senior outside hitter Andrea Estrada was one of seven named to the preseason All-MVC team. A two-time All-MVC selection, Estrada led the Salukis in both kills and service aces a year ago and finished top-15 in the league in service aces, kills and digs. She tallied 16 double-doubles during the 2016 campaign and recorded double-digit kills in 20 of SIU's 33 matches.
SIU opens the 2017 season at the Western Kentucky Invitational on Aug. 25-26. Southern's home opener is set for Tuesday, Aug. 29 vs. Arkansas State inside SIU Arena. Season tickets are available for purchase by calling 1-877-SALUKIS or by visiting www.siusalukis.com.
The Salukis close out the 2017 preseason fall camp with an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. inside Davies Gym.
Voted on by the league's coaches, this year marks the fifth-straight season in which the Salukis have been selected to the top-five.
Fresh off a MVC regular season championship and an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament, Missouri State was tabbed as the preseason favorite. The Lady Bears accumulated 99 points and nine first-place votes. Northern Iowa claimed second with 89 points and one first-place vote, while Illinois State (76) and Loyola (67) placed third and fourth, respectively. SIU tallied 64 points to finish fifth and was picked ahead of Drake (48), Valparaiso (33), Bradley (32), Indiana State (26) and Evansville (16).
The Salukis are coming off a 21-12 season, which included a 12-6 mark in MVC play. Under the direction of first-year head coach Kari Thompson, Southern returns nine letterwinners from 2016, including three starters.
In addition, senior outside hitter Andrea Estrada was one of seven named to the preseason All-MVC team. A two-time All-MVC selection, Estrada led the Salukis in both kills and service aces a year ago and finished top-15 in the league in service aces, kills and digs. She tallied 16 double-doubles during the 2016 campaign and recorded double-digit kills in 20 of SIU's 33 matches.
SIU opens the 2017 season at the Western Kentucky Invitational on Aug. 25-26. Southern's home opener is set for Tuesday, Aug. 29 vs. Arkansas State inside SIU Arena. Season tickets are available for purchase by calling 1-877-SALUKIS or by visiting www.siusalukis.com.
The Salukis close out the 2017 preseason fall camp with an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. inside Davies Gym.
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
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