Volleyball opens 2012 season Friday with Blue Raider Bash

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee volleyball team will open its season this weekend with the Blue Raider Bash at Alumni Memorial Gym. The Blue Raiders will open the tournament against Furman on Friday at Noon, and will also play UAB that night at 7:30 p.m. MT was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference East Division this season as voted on by the league's head coaches, as announced by the conference office on Thursday.

"It's a nice sign that coaches in the league still respect us despite losing five starters and having nine newcomers," said head coach Matt Peck. "Our goal is to win the east every year so we have no excuses."

The Blue Raiders had two first-place votes in the east with Western Kentucky getting eight first-place votes in the division. Senior outside hitter Ashley Adams was named to the Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team. She led MT in kills last season, with her 3.73 kills per set the fourth-most in the Sun Belt. Adams earned her second consecutive First Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2011 and was also an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American.

"Ashley's had a very nice career so far," Peck added. "We've asked her to put the team on her shoulders this year and she's been up to the task. We have some very nice players that people don't know about now, but will be very pleased with at the end of the year."

MT will be tested in its opening weekend. Furman, UAB and the Blue Raiders' two opponents Saturday UTSA and UC Davis had a combined record of 87-39 in 2011. Every team in the tournament won over 20 matches last season.

"We set this tournament up like it is because these teams are proven winners," said Peck about this weekend's tournament field. "With our young team, we wanted to play quality teams at home to open the season. Our schedule just gets tougher from here. I expect a very balanced weekend from top to bottom. "

2012 SBC Preseason All-Conference Team
Edina Begic (UALR, Sophomore, OH)
Jovana Bjelica (FIU, Senior, OH)
Mandi Gavin (Louisiana-Lafayette, Senior, S)
Ashley Adams (Middle Tennessee, Senior, OH)
Eboni Godfrey (North Texas, Sophomore, OH)
Ashley Potts (WKU, Junior, DS)

Jordyn Skinner (WKU, Senior, OH)
Melanie Stutsman (WKU, Junior, S)

2012 SBC Preseason Player of the Year
Jordyn Skinner (WKU, Senior, OH)

2012 SBC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Ashley Potts (WKU, Junior, DS)

2012 SBC Volleyball Preseason Poll

East Division

1. Western Kentucky (8) - 63 points

2. Middle Tennessee (2) - 56 points

3. FIU (1) - 43 points

4. South Alabama - 31 points

5. Troy - 22 points

6. Florida Atlantic - 16 points

West Division
1. North Texas (6) - 45 points
2. Arkansas State (2) - 43 points
3. UALR (2) - 38 points
4. Louisiana-Lafayette (1) - 23 points

5. Louisiana-Monroe - 16 points

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