2015 SWAC Preseason Volleyball Teams Released

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the 2015 Preseason All-SWAC Women’s Volleyball Teams and predicted order of finish, Tuesday morning, as voted on by the league coaches and sport information directors.

Kali Fluke of Texas Southern University earned the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year title. This honor was granted to her after she led the Tigers to a first-place, regular season, conference standing and collected the 2014 Co-Offensive Player of the Year Award. Individually, she recorded 263 attacks (a percentage of .302), provided 23 assists and served six aces. 

Fluke was also named to the preseason All-SWAC First Team. She was joined by teammate Robyn Shannon.

Southern University’s Diamond Williams was voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, after leading the Conference and the Jaguars in digs (474). Williams went on to grab the 2014 Libero of the Year accolade as well as a position on the 2014 All-SWAC First Team.

Williams secured the only spot on the preseason All-SWAC First Team. Leilani Lealaimatafao, who stood on the 2014 All-Tournament Team, received a position on the All-SWAC Second Team.

In the eastern division, Alabama State University was predicted to finish first, receiving 78 tallies. For the second consecutive season, the Hornets have captured the preseason accolade, stemming from their back-to-back SWAC championship titles under 2014 Coach of the Year, Penny Lucas-White. The Hornets led the Conference in four categories including kills (358) and service aces (54).

Jackson State University was predicted to finish second in the east with a total of 58 points, followed by Alabama A&M University with 51 tallies.

Southern (67) accepted a first-place predicted finish in the western division. Led by head coach Vanessa Jacobs, this marked the Jaguars’ first time in 20 years being recognized in this position. TSU was voted to finish second with 58 points, while Prairie View A&M grabbed a third-place finish, securing 49 tallies.

The entire predicted order of finish is listed below as well as the complete lists of first and second teamers.