NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama volleyball senior Mechell Daniel was named to the 2016 Preseason all-Sun Belt Conference team, as announced by the league office Monday.
Daniel, a three-time all-SBC performer, was one of three outside hitters voted preseason all-conference by the league's head coaches. She ranked fourth in the SBC in kills per set (3.58) last year, and was third in kills per set (3.81) in conference contests.
She ranks third on USA's career kills per set list (3.59), fifth in kills (1,198) and 10th in career digs per set (2.54). Daniel has 40 career double-doubles, which ranks second in program history and is just two shy of tying the top mark.
South Alabama was picked to finish third in the SBC East Division behind Coastal Carolina – who was picked to win the division with 10 of 12 first-place votes – and Appalachian State. Arkansas State was picked to win the SBC West Division after receiving all 12 first-place votes.
ASU's Carlisa May and CCU's Leah Hardeman were selected as the SBC Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year. ASU's Markie Schaedig and Mallory Warrington were named the league's preseason Defensive Player of the Year and preseason Setter of the Year, respectively.
USA will open the 2016 season Friday when it squares off with Indiana State at 10 a.m. at the Samford Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The Jags will then face Nicholls State at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, followed by a 7 p.m. contest with Samford on Saturday to close the tournament.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Volleyball All-Conference Team
* Ashton Gregory (Appalachian State, Senior, MB)
* Edina Selimovic (Little Rock, Senior, MB)
* Carlisa May (Arkansas State, Sophomore, OH)
* Markie Schaedig (Arkansas State, Senior, L/DS)
* Mallory Warrington (Arkansas State, Senior, S)
Leah Hardeman (Coastal Carolina, Junior, OH)
** Mechell Daniel (South Alabama, Senior, OH)
** Jordan Kohl (Texas State, Junior, RS)
* - denotes 2015 First-Team All-Conference | ** denotes 2015 Second-Team All-Conference
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
Carlisa May (Arkansas State, Sophomore, OH)
Leah Hardeman (Coastal Carolina, Junior, OH)
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Markie Schaedig (Arkansas State, Senior, L/DS)
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Setter of the Year
Mallory Warrington (Arkansas State, Senior, S)
2016 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
East Division
1. Coastal Carolina (10) - 70 pts
2. Appalachian State (2) - 57 pts
3. South Alabama - 40 pts
4. Georgia Southern - 31 pts
5. Troy - 30 pts
6. Georgia State - 24 pts
West Division
1. Arkansas State (12) - 72 pts
2. Texas State - 58 pts
3. UT Arlington - 45 pts
4. Little Rock - 39 pts
5. UL Lafayette - 24 pts
6. UL Monroe - 14 pts
