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Matusiak Named Preseason All-BIG EAST
8/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior opposite hitter Meghan Matusiak (Winfield, Ill.) was named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason team, while the Seton Hall volleyball team was picked to finish sixth by the conference coaches, as released today by the conference office. The Pirates tied for sixth place last season and earned their second straight BIG EAST Championship appearance.
Matusiak, an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection in 2010, was second on the team with 351 kills and was twice named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. She ranked fifth in the conference in points per set and sixth in kills per set. Matusiak comes into the season with 1,016 career kills, which ranks her seventh on the all-time list.
The Pirates return six starters, including senior Krissy Wrobel (Reading, Pa.), juniors Morgan DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Hannah Hugeback (Virginia Beach, Va.), and Olivia Trudeau (Shell Beach, Calif.). In addition head coach Kris Zeiter has brought in a pair of All-Americans in Shelbey and Stacey Manthorpe (Merion Station, Pa.) to highlight the Hall's six newcomers. SHU opens the season at the Colgate Classic against Buffalo on August 26.
Defending champion, Louisville, was crowned the early favorite by the coaches. Notre Dame was picked second, while Cincinnati and Marquette round out the top four.
Lola Arsanbekova from Louisville was the pick for Preseason Player of the Year.
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
* - unanimous selection
BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll
| School | Points | BIG EAST | Overall | BIG EAST Finish |
| 1. Louisville (11) | 190 | 12-2 | 23-8 | 2nd |
| 2. Notre Dame (1) | 176 | 10-4 | 18-13 | 5th |
| 3. Cincinnati (3) | 175 | 13-1 | 30-6 | 1st |
| 4. Marquette | 164 | 11-3 | 23-9 | T-3rd |
| 5. Villanova | 137 | 11-3 | 23-7 | T-3rd |
| 6. Seton Hall | 115 | 7-7 | 13-18 | T-6th |
| 7. Pittsburgh | 107 | 7-7 | 13-18 | T-6th |
| 8. USF | 96 | 6-8 | 10-18 | 8th |
| 9. Syracuse | 85 | 5-9 | 23-9 | T-9th |
| 10. St. John's | 81 | 5-9 | 18-13 | T-9th |
| 11. West Virginia | 72 | 5-9 | 15-15 | T-9th |
| 12. Connecticut | 69 | 4-10 | 6-19 | 13th |
| 13. Georgetown | 60 | 5-9 | 15-15 | T-9th |
| 14. Rutgers | 27 | 3-11 | 11-17 | 14th |
| 15. DePaul | 21 | 1-13 | 4-26 | 15th |
(-) - first place votes
