August 17, 2001

SIMON, BUSH TABBED AS PRESEASON ALL CONFERENCE

LADY PALADINS PICKED TO FINISH THIRD

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman juniors Abby Simon (Simpsonville, S.C.) and Laura Bush (Kingsport, Tenn.) were named to the Southern Conference Volleyball Coaches Preseason All-League Team on Friday, while the Lady Paladin squad was picked to finish third in the league race this year.

Simon, an outside hitter who prepped at Christ Church, led the Lady Paladin team in kills last season, with 405, was second in kills per game, and third is assists and blocks per game. Bush, a middle blocker out of Sullivan South High School, topped the Southern Conference with a .319 hitting percentage and tallied 321 kills with only 94 errors. Both Simon and Bush received all-conference laurels in 2000.

The Furman team, which finished third in the league last season, was picked to again finish third, behind College of Charleston and Davidson. The preseason coaches' poll was tight, however, with only six points separating the Cougars of C of C (88) from the Lady Paladins (82). In addition, Furman received two first place votes, while defending champion Davidson got four and Charleston received five.

The Lady Paladin volleyball season begins on Friday, August 31, at the Golden Gate Classic in San Francisco, Calif.

2001 Southern Conference Preseason Coaches' Volleyball Poll

1. College of Charleston (5) 88

2. Davidson (4) 85

3. Furman (2) 82

4. Western Carolina 71

5. Appalachian State 67

6. Chattanooga 59

7. East Tennessee State 54

8. Georgia Southern 37

9. UNC Greensboro 28

10. Wofford 24

11. The Citadel 10