Texas State Picked to Win 2009 Southland Volleyball Title
Preseason Polls
Coaches Poll
East Division
1. Central Arkansas (4) 118
2. Stephen F. Austin 97
3. McNeese State 75
4. Northwestern State 47
5. Nicholls 38
6. Southeastern Louisiana 35
West Division
1. Texas State (6) 129
2. Lamar (2) 112
3. UTSA 106
4. Sam Houston State 75
5. UT Arlington 62
6. A&M-Corpus Christi 30
Sports Information Directors Poll
East Division
1. Central Arkansas (3) 112
2. Stephen F. Austin (1) 110
3. McNeese State 73
4. Northwestern State 54
5. Southeastern Louisiana 41
6. Nicholls 40
West Division
1. Texas State (5) 122
2. Lamar (2) 114
3. UTSA (1) 100
4. Sam Houston State 78
5. UT Arlington 60
6. A&M-Corpus Christi 30
Southland Conference Announces the 2009 Volleyball Preseason Teams
Central Arkansas and Lamar each placed three student-athletes on the 2009 Southland Conference preseason all-conference volleyball teams, which were announced Tuesday by the conference office.
Central Arkansas junior Chloe Smith, the 2008 Southland Conference Player of the Year, leads a talented list of returning players on the two teams. Smith, a native of San Diego, Calif., led the Sugar Bears to a first-place finish in the East Division and their best conference record (12-4) since joining the Southland in 2006. Smith ranked second in the conference with 379 kills and her 80 blocks led the team. In conference play, she ranked fifth in hitting percentage (.323), third in kills per match (3.35) and second in service aces (0.43).
Two other Central Arkansas student-athletes were named preseason selections. Robyn Smith earned first-team honors and Jessica Hays was named to the second team. Robyn Smith, the 2008 conference setter of the year and a senior from Lubbock, Texas, has led the league in assists the last two seasons collecting 1,387 in 2007 and 1,255 in 2008. Hays, the 2008 freshman of the year and a sophomore from Friendswood, Texas, led all freshmen with nine triple-doubles and 325 kills for a 3.03 average ranking seventh in conference. Her 0.47 service aces mark led the league.