University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldogs Picked Sixth in Preseason Poll; Vaughn Earns All-Conference Honors
08.04.2016 | Women's Volleyball
Charlotte, N.C.- The UNC Asheville volleyball team was selected sixth in the 2016 Big South preseason coaches' poll with 41 points, the conference announced on Wednesday. Bulldog senior Madison Vaughn also earned a spot on the seven-member Big South Preseason Volleyball All-Conference Team.
The Bulldogs finished last season fourth in the Big South with an overall record of 15-12, and a conference record of 8-6.
Vaughn proved herself a presence in the middle for Asheville, leading the Bulldogs in total blocks (105) and average blocks per set (1.06). She also had the best attacking percentage of Asheville players with 100 or more total attempts (.346). Vaughn was second in the Big South Conference in blocks per set average, and has the fourth-most solo blocks in the conference (21). She also finished the 2015 season in the top three statistically for Asheville in total kills and service aces.
High Point topped the poll as the preseason favorite receiving 76 total points and five first place votes, while Panther's junior outside hitter, Haley Barnes was voted preseason player of the year.
Liberty University came second in the poll with 68 points and two first place votes, and Radford finished third with 58 points and one first place vote.
The remainder of the preseason All-Conference team, as well as the results of the preseason coaches' poll is listed below.
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Haley Barnes, High Point, Jr., OH (Preseason Player of the Year)
Emma Weakland, Winthrop, Sr., OPP
Molly Livingston, High Point, Soph., MB
Madison Vaughn, UNC Asheville, Sr., MB
Maddie Palmer, Radford, Jr., OH
Anna Willey, Liberty, Jr., S
Margaret Latchford, Liberty, Soph., LIB
2016 BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL
Rk Team (first-place votes) Points
1. High Point (5) 76
2. Liberty (2) 68
3. Radford (1) 58
4. Campbell 53
5. Winthrop 48
6. UNC Asheville 41
7. Charleston Southern (1) 27
8. Gardner-Webb 21
9. Presbyterian College 13
Note: points are based on a weighted system, with first-place votes receiving 9 points, followed by 8 points for second-place, and so on.
