Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Conference USA releases preseason selections for 2016
8/2/2016 4:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Blue Raiders tabbed to finish 10th
Conference USA releases preseason selections for 2016
MURFREESBORO, TENN. – With anticipation increasing for the start of the 2016 campaign, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were selected to finish 10th in the 2016 Preseason Poll released by the Conference USA office Monday.
WKU was selected to repeat as C-USA champions, while UTSA and Rice were voted by the conference coaches to finish second and third, respectively.
Head Coach Dan Ahiers enters his first season at the helm of the Blue Raider program. Previously, Ahiers posted a 56-15 record in two years with Carson-Newman and led the Eagles to their first Southeast Regional title in program history.
MT returns six letterwinners from a season ago, including senior middle blocker Miri Shade and junior libero Jacqueline Lux.
Sophomores Vonnie Covington, Makila York, Delaney Gallagher and Sabrie Sirmones seek to improve upon impressive rookie seasons.
MT will welcome eight newcomers to the program as part of Ahier's first recruiting class.
The Blue Raiders begin the 2016 season at the Tennessee Classic in Knoxville and will face ULM, Cincinnati and host Tennessee in the four-team tournament. Middle Tennessee's home opener is slated for Sept. 9 as it hosts the annual Blue Raider Bash, hosting Illinois State, Seton Hall and in-state rival Tennessee Tech.
2016 Conference USA Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. WKU
2. UTSA
3. Rice
4. Southern Miss
5. Florida Atlantic
6. North Texas
7. FIU
8. Marshall
9. Charlotte
10. Middle Tennessee
11. UTEP
12. UAB
13. Louisiana Tech
Preseason Team
2016 C-USA Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year:
Jessica Lucas – WKU
MURFREESBORO, TENN. – With anticipation increasing for the start of the 2016 campaign, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were selected to finish 10th in the 2016 Preseason Poll released by the Conference USA office Monday.
WKU was selected to repeat as C-USA champions, while UTSA and Rice were voted by the conference coaches to finish second and third, respectively.
Head Coach Dan Ahiers enters his first season at the helm of the Blue Raider program. Previously, Ahiers posted a 56-15 record in two years with Carson-Newman and led the Eagles to their first Southeast Regional title in program history.
MT returns six letterwinners from a season ago, including senior middle blocker Miri Shade and junior libero Jacqueline Lux.
Sophomores Vonnie Covington, Makila York, Delaney Gallagher and Sabrie Sirmones seek to improve upon impressive rookie seasons.
MT will welcome eight newcomers to the program as part of Ahier's first recruiting class.
The Blue Raiders begin the 2016 season at the Tennessee Classic in Knoxville and will face ULM, Cincinnati and host Tennessee in the four-team tournament. Middle Tennessee's home opener is slated for Sept. 9 as it hosts the annual Blue Raider Bash, hosting Illinois State, Seton Hall and in-state rival Tennessee Tech.
2016 Conference USA Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. WKU
2. UTSA
3. Rice
4. Southern Miss
5. Florida Atlantic
6. North Texas
7. FIU
8. Marshall
9. Charlotte
10. Middle Tennessee
11. UTEP
12. UAB
13. Louisiana Tech
Preseason Team
2016 C-USA Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year:
Jessica Lucas – WKU
| Name | School | Pos. | Ht. | Yr. | Hometown |
| Maja Ristic | Florida Atlantic | OH | 5-9 | Sr. | Brcko, Bosnia |
| Ally Kiekover | Marshall | MB | 6-0 | Sr. | Grand Rapids, Mich. |
| Chelsey Harris | Rice | S | 6-0 | Sr. | Houston, Texas |
| Madison McDaniel | Rice | S | 6-0 | Jr. | The Woodlands, Texas |
| Leah Mikesky | Rice | OH | 6-1 | Sr. | Schulenburg,Texas |
| Portia Okafor | Rice | MB | 6-2 | Jr. | Lewisville, Texas |
| Stephany Purdue | Southern Miss | OH | 5-11 | Sr. | Mesa, Ariz. |
| Gabby Deshotel | UAB | OH | 5-11 | Sr. | Daphne, Ala. |
| Dajana Boskovic | UTSA | OH | 6-1 | Sr. | Bileca, Bosnia |
| Marijeta Runjic | UTSA | OH | 6-4 | Jr. | Trogir, Croatia |
| Alyssa Cavanaugh | WKU | OH | 5-10 | Jr. | Louisville, Ky. |
| Jessica Lucas | WKU | S | 6-0 | Jr. | Seymour, Ind. |
Players Mentioned
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