Marquette University Athletics
Coughlin Named Preseason All-Conference USA
8/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MILWAUKEE ? Junior outside hitter Theresa Coughlin was named Preseason All-Conference USA by the league?s coaches, the league office announced.
Coughlin brings impressive credentials to the 2004 season. She was a second-team All C-USA selection last season and was named AVCA All-Midwest Region Honorable Mention. Coughlin had 488 kills and hit 25.8 percent last year. With 867 career kills, she is 133 kills away from being the seventh player to reach the 1,000-kill mark in Marquette history. She is 413 kills away from setting Marquette?s career kills mark.
?The biggest thing with Theresa is the maturity that she?s gained through last season and through the spring,? head coach Pati Rolf said. ?With her leadership and maturity on the floor, she?ll provide the stability we?ll need, especially with a freshman like Kim Todd at the other outside hitter position.?
As a team, Marquette was picked fifth in the preseason league poll. Marquette finished sixth in 2003, riding a nine match win streak to end the season. The Golden Eagles advanced to the Conference USA Tournament semifinal round in Rolf?s second season at Marquette.
?I think it?s a fair selection for us,? Rolf said. ?Our history hasn?t proven us to be ready for a top three selection. It?s a nice fit to be picked fifth because it allows opportunity for growth.?
The Golden Eagles were picked to finish behind Louisville, Cincinnati, Houston, and Tulane.
?I appreciate the respect of my peers to pick us in the fifth position,? Rolf said. ?I think it shows respect to our seniors and what they have accomplished.?
The Golden Eagles open up the 2004 season on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Al McGuire Center against North Dakota State as part of the Holiday Inn Marquette Challenge.
2004 Conference USA Preseason Poll
1. Louisville
2. Cincinnati
3. Houston
4. Tulane
5. Marquette
6. Memphis
7. TCU
8. USF
9. DePaul
10. Southern Miss
11. Saint Louis
12. UAB
13. Charlotte
14. East Carolina
2004 Preseason All-Conference USA
Julie DuPont, Cincinnati (Preseason Player of the Year)
Theresa Coughlin, Marquette
Deva Fowler, Tulane
Lena Ustymenko, Louisville
Bing Sun, Louisville
Heather Watts, Memphis
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