Aug. 9, 2011

BEAUMONT - Led by junior middle blockers Christina Hobbs and Wendy Krellwho were both named preseason second-team all-conference, Lamar University was selected fourth in the 2011 Southland Conference volleyball preseason coaches' poll released by the league office Tuesday.

Hobbs was named the 2010 Southland Newcomer of the Year after sitting out a season with injury following her transfer from Alabama. The 6-foot Atascocita High School product was second on the team last year in kills (217), attack percentage (.258) and total blocks (76).

"Christina came through in some key matches for us last season," said seventh-year LU head coach Justin Gibert. "She is really a gamer. We will look for her to continue to do that night-in and night-out, and her being picked preseason all-conference is recognition by the other coaches of her abilities."

The 2009 SLC Freshman of the Year, Krell begins her third season at Lamar. In addition to ranking third on the team in kills per set (2.03) and attack percentage (.255) last season, Krell finished second in the conference in service aces per set at 0.35.

"Wendy is one of the most understated, solid middle blockers in the conference," Gibert said. "Her service game and her hitting game are very solid. She doesn't overwhelm you, but Wendy always seems to put together big performances, and we'll need that to continue this year."

Lamar was one of four teams to receive first place votes in the poll, picking up two first place nods and 84 total points. Defending regular season champion Central Arkansas received five first place votes and 112 total points in being selected first.

UTSA, which won the 2010 Southland Tournament to earn the league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth, received three first place votes and was picked in a tie for second with Texas State (two first place votes) at 107 points. UT Arlington (78 points) and Sam Houston State (74 points) rounded out the top half of the preseason poll.

"I think the fact that we're picked near the top is due to the other coaches recognizing the talent we have on our team," said Gibert. "We have the talent to be a top-tier team, but we have to follow it up by putting in the practice that will show up in the matches. It's going to be a very competitive conference race."

Stephen F. Austin was chosen seventh with 59 points, followed by McNeese State (58 points), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (39 points), Northwestern State (31 points), Nicholls (30 points) and Southeastern Louisiana (13 points).

UCA was well represented on the preseason all-conference first-team with Jessica Hays, Marissa Collins, Cristin Curl and Taylor Hammonds. Also named to the first-team were Kelsi Jewasko and Kelsey Schwirtlich of UTSA, Amari Deardorff and Amber Calhoun of Texas State, Amanda Aguilera and Alicia Shaffer of UTA, Carlie Kolber of Sam Houston and SFA's M.C. Bottles.

Joining Hobbs and Krell on the second-team were Whitney Walls of UTSA, Jessica Nagy of UCA, Kaylee Hawkins of Sam Houston and Becky Bekelja of McNeese State.

The Lady Cardinals will open the 2011 season at home on Aug. 26 with a 6:30 p.m. match against North Texas in opening play of the Lamar Tournament. LU will also face Texas Southern and Houston Baptist the following day in the four-team event.

2011 Southland Conference Preseason Volleyball Polls

Coaches' Poll	Points	Sports Information Directors' Poll	Points
1. Central Arkansas (5) 2. UTSA (3) 2. Texas State (2) 4. Lamar (2) 5. UT Arlington 6. Sam Houston State 7. Stephen F. Austin 8. McNeese State 9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi     10. Northwestern State 11. Nicholls 12. Southeastern Louisiana	112 107 107 84 78 74 59 58 39 31 30 13	1. UTSA (4) 2. Central Arkansas (5) 2. Texas State (2) 4. Lamar (1) 4. UT Arlington 6. McNeese State 7. Sam Houston State 8. Stephen F. Austin 9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi     10. Northwestern State 11. Nicholls 12. Southeastern Louisiana	113 104 104 86 86 65 63 57 40 29 28 13

Preseason All-Conference Teams

First Team
Name Jessica Hays Carli Kolber Kelsi Jewasko Marissa Collins Kelsey Schwirtlich Amari Deardorff Amanda Aguilera Alicia Shaffer Amber Calhoun Cristin Curl M.C. Bottle Taylor Hammonds	Class Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.	Pos. OH OH L S S RS OH L MB L MB MB	University Central Arkansas Sam Houston State UTSA Central Arkansas UTSA Texas State UT Arlington UT Arlington Texas State Central Arkansas Stephen F. Austin Central Arkansas

Second Team
Name Whitney Walls Christina Hobbs Wendy Krell Jessica Nagy Kaylee Hawkins Becky Bekelja	Class Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr.	Pos. RS MB MB MB UT S	University UTSA Lamar Lamar Central Arkansas Sam Houston State McNeese State