Volleyball Selected Ninth In BIG EAST Preseason Poll
Rebecca Murray Named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team

Aug. 12, 2010

STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut volleyball team was selected to finish ninth in BIG EAST standings this season, as announced in the Preseason Coaches' Poll that was released Thursday. Senior middle hitter Rebecca Murray (Carmel, Ind.) was the only UConn player to earn preseason honors, as she was named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team.

UConn earned 90 points in the poll, behind eighth ranked Syracuse and seventh ranked Seton Hall who received 94 and 96 points respectively. Cincinnati was unanimously selected as the preseason favorite, receiving 196 points and 14 first-place votes. The defending tournament champion Louisville, defending regular season champion Notre Dame, Marquette and Pittsburgh round out the top five, with Marquette also earning a first-place vote.

Murray, a 2009 All-BIG EAST Second Team honoree, led the Huskies with a 2.65 kill per set average last season, while posting 3.02 kills per set in BIG EAST play. Murray also paced the team in total blocks (115), solo blocks (25) and service aces (36), and was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll twice during 2009 (Oct. 5 & Oct. 26).

Connecticut finished the 2009 season with a 14-17 overall record and a 7-7 mark in BIG EAST play, ending the year ranked seventh in the conference.

The Huskies will open the 2010 season with a Blue vs. White scrimmage on August 21 beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Gampel Pavilion, before taking part in the William & Mary Tournament, Aug. 27-28 in Williamsburg, Va.

BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll

School	Points	BIG EAST	Overall	BIG EAST    Finish
1. Cincinnati (14)	196	12-2	19-11	T-2nd
2. Louisville	176	10-4	21-11	4th
3. Notre Dame	161	14-0	21-7	1st
4. Marquette (1)	158	6-8	18-12	T-8th
5. Pittsburgh	139	12-2	20-11	T-2nd
6. USF	122	9-5	18-10	T-5th
7. Seton Hall	96	6-8	12-19	T-8th
8. Syracuse	94	9-5	21-11	T-5th
9. Connecticut	90	7-7	14-17	7th
10. St. John's	85	2-12	9-21	14th
11. Villanova	81	5-9	6-13	11th
12. Georgetown	65	4-10	14-16	12th
13. West Virginia	60	6-8	17-13	T-8th
14. Rutgers	35	3-11	10-19	13th
15. DePaul	17	0-14	6-23	15th

(-) - First Place Votes

All-BIG EAST Preseason Team
Lola Arslanbekova*, Louisville, So., OH
Ashley Beyer, Marquette, Jr., OH
Allie Boaz, USF, Sr. RS
Kristen Dealy, Notre Dame, Jr., OH
Vanessa Dorismond, Georgetown, Sr., OH
Annie Fesl, Cincinnati, Sr., S
Missy Harpenau, Cincinnati, Jr., OH
Nikki Klingsporn, Marquette, Sr., S
Kim Maroon, Villanova, Jr., L
Maggie Mergen, Villanova, Jr., MB
Rebecca Murray,Connecticut, Sr., MH
Stephanie Niemer*, Notre Dame, Sr., OH
Kellie Sciacca, Notre Dame, Sr., MB
Amy Town, Pittsburgh, Sr., OH
* - Unanimous Selection
^ - Due to a tie in voting, extra members have been added to the BIG EAST Preseason All-Conference Team

BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Stephanie Niemer, Cincinnati, Sr., OH