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HISTORY & TRAD.
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Southeast Volleyball Picked Third in OVC Preseason Poll
Aug. 11, 2009 By Tyler Koonce, Sports Information Assistant BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - The Southeast Missouri State University volleyball team was selected third in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll, released by the conference office Tuesday. The Redhawks received 125 points, including two first-place votes, from the league's head coaches and sports information directors. Murray State was picked first in the poll, receiving 142 points (nine first-place votes), followed by Morehead State with 136 points (five first-place votes). "It's nice to be recognized by fellow coaches in the conference by being picked third," head coach Renata Heard said. "We still know that this is a preseason poll and we need to work hard every day so that we are prepared to earn a spot in the OVC Tournament." Junior outside hitter Claire Keaton (St. Charles, Mo./Incarnate Word Academy) received First-Team Preseason All-OVC accolades. Senior outside hitter Karleigh DeLong (Corona, Calif./Santiago) and setter Sarah Barth (Germantown, Ill./Central Community) were named to the Second-Team. "We're really hoping for a big season and a lot of leadership from all three of them," Heard said. "This shows that the people in our conference know how hard they have worked in the past and what they're capable of on the court." Keaton was named Second-Team All-OVC last season after leading the team in kills (313), kills per game (3.19) and points (349.5). She finished eighth in the OVC in kills per game. Additionally, she finished second on the team in digs (246) and registered a team-high 18 double-doubles on the season. She set a career-high with 27 kills against Western Illinois at the Saluki Invitational, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team and OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors. DeLong, who earned First-Team Preseason All-OVC honors last season, played in 14 matches with 12 starts while battling an injury. She ranked second on the team in kills per game (2.67). She recorded double-digit kills in seven matches and posted three double-doubles on the season. DeLong was named First-Team All-OVC and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Honorable Mention following the 2007 season. Barth has led the team in assists the past two seasons. Last season, she ranked second in the conference in assists per match (9.69), finishing with 785 on the year. In conference play, she averaged 10.40 assists per game and was twice named OVC Setter of the Week. She posted double-digit assists in 23 of 24 matches played and led the squad with eight double-doubles. Barth also finished third on the team in service aces (17) and fourth in kills (124) and attack percentage (.218). 2009 OVC Volleyball Predicted Team Order of Finish 1. Murray State 142 (9) # # # |
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