Black, a first-team all-conference selection last season from Huntsville, Texas, led the Bearkats to an 11-1 home record, including a 3-1 win over Big East representative Rutgers. The senior finished fifth in blocks per set (1.07) and is one of four returning starters.
Kaylee Hawkins and Kendall Cleveland also are seniors for the Kat squad that returns four seniors.
Hawkins played in all but one match last season for the Bearkats and finished fifth on the team with 1.62 kills per set.
Cleveland, a Houston, Texas, native, appeared in every match last season and produced 1.69 kills per set ranking fourth on the team.
The annual preseason poll is selected by vote of the Southland Conference's head volleyball coaches.
The Bearkats open its 2012 volleyball schedule Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25, hosting the annual Sam Houston State Invitational. Colorado, Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas Southern will join the Kats in the tournament field.
2012 All-Southland Volleyball Preseason Team
|
First Team |
|||
|
Name |
Cl |
Pos. |
University |
|
Kim Black |
Sr. |
MB |
Sam Houston State |
|
Marissa Collins |
Jr. |
S |
Central Arkansas |
|
Stacey DiFrancesco |
So. |
OH |
Northwestern State |
|
Madison Hanlan |
Sr. |
L |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Sierra Whittaker |
Jr. |
OH |
Lamar |
|
Bruna Silva |
Jr. |
L |
Oral Roberts |
|
Alex Morford |
Sr. |
S |
Lamar |
|
Jill Ivy |
So. |
OH |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Jessica Nagy |
Jr. |
RS |
Central Arkansas |
|
Kaylee Hawkins |
Sr. |
OH/L |
Sam Houston State |
|
Wendy Krell |
Sr. |
MB |
Lamar |
|
Olivia Ophus |
Sr. |
OH |
Oral Roberts |
|
Second Team |
|||
|
Name |
Cl |
Pos. |
University |
|
Brooke Alverson |
Jr. |
MB |
A&M-Corpus Christi |
|
Kendall Cleveland |
Sr. |
OH |
Sam Houston State |
|
Taylor Hammonds |
Sr. |
MB |
Central Arkansas |
|
Emily Sweet |
So. |
S |
Northwestern State |
|
Jennifer Brandt |
Sr. |
OH |
Nicholls State |
|
Jessica Hays |
So. |
OH |
Central Arkansas |
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