Volleyball Picked Fourth In BIG EAST Preseason Poll

Aug. 15, 2011

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University women's volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Conference by a preseason poll of the league's head coaches, the conference office announced Monday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles finished third in the conference in 2010 with a program-record 11-3 mark, which included 11-consecutive BIG EAST victories from Oct. 1-Nov. 12. Marquette finished 2010 tied for third in the league after also being picked fourth last season and advanced to the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship for the second time since joining the conference for the 2005 season.

Senior outside hitter Ashley Beyer was one of 12 student-athletes named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team. Beyer was a 2010 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Honorable Mention while also earning All-Northeast Region and All-BIG EAST First Team honors. The then-junior led MU with 414 kills for an average of 3.87 kills per set and was second on the squad with 285 digs (2.66 per set).

The Golden Eagles begin the 2011 campaign on Friday, Aug. 26 against Saint Louis in the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa. Marquette will serve as host of the 2011 BIG EAST Women's Volleyball Championship on Nov. 18-20 at the Al McGuire Center. MU last served as host of the conference tournament in 2007.

2011 BIG EAST Volleyball Preseason Awards and Coaches Poll

BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
*Lola Arslanbekova, Louisville, Jr., OH

All-BIG EAST Preseason Team
*Jordan Scott, Cincinnati, Jr., MB
*Lola Arslanbekova, Louisville, Jr., OH
Emily Juhl, Louisville, So., OH
Gwen Rucker, Louisville, Sr., MH
Ashley Beyer, Marquette Sr., OH
Kristen Dealy, Notre Dame, Sr., OH
Andrea McHugh, Notre Dame, So., OH
Darlene Ramdin, St. John's, Sr., OH/MH
Megan Matusiak, Seton Hall, Sr., RS
Noemie Lefebvre, Syracuse, Sr., OH
*Kim Maroon, Villanova, Sr., L
Maggie Mergen, Villanova, Sr., MB