The Blue Raiders, ranked 15th in the AVCA preseason poll, received 77 total points, 12 of the 13 first place votes, as voted on by the Sun Belt's head coaches. Western Kentucky collected on first place vote to come in second with 64 total points and Florida International was picked third with 53 points. Rounding out the Eastern Division are Troy (39), South Alabama (21) and Florida Atlantic (19).

"It is an honor to be chosen almost unanimously first in the East and I think obviously it is pretty clear the East has been the stronger side of the conference the last couple of years. I think the conference is getting better from top to bottom and certainly there are a number of teams that are capable of beating us if we have a poor match," head coach Matt Peck said. "I think it is a nice honor before the fact but again it is what happens after the season is over as far as awards go and who is finishing first and second that really matters."

Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky and FIU each had two players named to the preseason team. Senior Ashley Asberry and junior Leslie Clark were named to the team after each received a number of conference and national awards in 2007.

This is Asberry's (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) second consecutive time on the preseason team. In 2007, Asberry received All-America and First Team All-Conference honors after leading the team in a number of categories.

Clark receives her first preseason league honor after posting two consecutive 1,000 assist seasons. Clark was named AVCA South All-Region and First Team All-Conference as a sophomore.

"I think it is great that Ashley Asberry and Leslie Clark have been honored for their accomplishments which have been tremendous both in the conference and at the national level," Peck said. "Ashley ended the season in the top-10 in hitting efficiency and Leslie in the top-10 in assists per game nationally is a tremendous accomplishment. I think they are two of the best players in the conference and possibly the region and it is nice to see them be honored."

Florida International's Yarimar Rosa, the 2006 Freshman of the Year, was named as the Preseason Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Rosa is joined on the preseason team by teammate Olga Vergun.

Megan Argabright and Julia Noe represent Western Kentucky on the preseason team.

In the Western Division, three points separated first and second place. Denver came out on top with 87 total votes, 10 first place votes, with New Orleans close behind with two first place votes. UALR came in third with 66 total points and Arkansas State was selected fourth with one first place votes and 48 total points.

Rounding out the Western Division were North Texas (47), Louisiana-Lafayette (32) and ULM (14).

Middle Tennessee begins its season by playing host to the Blue Raider Bash on Friday, Aug. 29 through Saturday, Aug. 30. The Blue Raiders will begin the tournament by facing Idaho at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.

"Both of Asberry and Clark know the awards are nice but we have to do whatever we can as a team to do well. We spread the awards out here pretty much and are not a two person team at all. As a matter of fact this is the deepest we have ever been and we are going to be able to throw a lot at our opponents this year even more so in the past," Peck said.

PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT CONFERENCE TEAM
Amila Baracovic, UALR
Kacie Wikierak, Denver
Olga Vergun, FIU
Yarimar Rosa, FIU
Ashley Asberry, Middle Tennessee
Leslie Clark, Middle Tennessee
Megan Argabright, WKU
Julia Noe, WKU

PREASEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Yarimar Rosa, FIU

PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kacie Wikierak, Denver

2008 PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL
EAST
1. Middle Tennessee 77 points (12 first place votes)
2. WKU 64 points (1 first place vote)
3. FIU 53 points
4. Troy 39 points
5. South Alabama 21 points
6. Florida Atlantic 19 points

WEST
1. Denver 87 points (10 first place votes)
2. New Orleans 70 points (2 first place votes)
3. UALR 66 points
4. Arkansas State 48 points (1 first place vote)
5. North Texas 47 points
6. Louisiana-Lafayette 32 points
7. ULM 14 points

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