SoCon Volleyball Coaches Select Preseason All-League Team

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The Southern Conference volleyball coaches have cast their votes and named the 2000 preseason all-league team. The team consists of three sophomores, six juniors and three seniors.

The defending SoCon champion Davidson placed three players on the team. Wildcat Mara Mordini, the 1999 tournament MVP and player of the year, returns for her senior season after leading the league in digs and recording the second most kills on the year. Joining Mordini are Brooke Bentley, a returning starter who finished 1999 third on the team in kills, and Erica Schwartz, who led the club in assists and was fourth in the league.

College of Charleston's Stephanie Ballard, an all-conference selection and 1999 freshman of the year, returns after leading the Cougars in kills and hitting percentage. Chattanooga's Carol Reedus enters her senior season as the returning league leader in hitting percentage and Cheryl Theis looks to fill the void left by the loss of three seniors. Western Carolina juniors Christy Atteberry and Bri Milan-Williams return after leading the league in kills and assists respectively. Atteberry also finished the season third in digs with Milan-Williams finishing third in service aces. Both were also members of the all-conference team in 1999 with Atteberry also being named to the all-tournament team.

Furman also placed three on players on the team. Junior Laura Hooks was among the league leaders in assists and service aces in 1999. Laura Bush and Carrie Rowley led the Lady Paladins in kills in their freshman campaign and were among the league leaders in hitting percentage.

East Tennessee State junior Carey Cavanaugh, a member of the 1999 all-conference team, led the Lady Mocs in assists, finishing third in the league in the assists and digs.

2000 Southern Conference Volleyball Coaches Preseason All-League Team:

Stephanie Ballard, College of Charleston
Carey Cavanaugh, East Tennessee State
Carol Reedus, Chattanooga
Laura Hooks, Furman
Cheryl Theis, Chattanooga
Laura Bush, Furman
Mara Mordini, Davidson
Carrie Rowley, Furman
Brooke Bentley, Davidson
Christy Atteberry, Western Carolina
Erica Schwartz, Davidson
Bri Milan-Williams, Western Carolina