Two Bobcats Land Sun Belt Conference Preseason Honors

Texas State projected to finish second in Sun Belt Conference West Division.

NEW ORLEANS – The Texas State volleyball team was selected to finish second in the west division of the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the league announced Monday morning.

The Bobcats collected 57 points and one first-place vote to nestle right behind defending west champs Arkansas State. The Red Wolves garnered 71 points and the final 11 first-place votes. UTA was slotted third with 50 points, while Little Rock (34 points), Louisiana (28 points) and ULM (12 points) rounded out the division.

Coastal Carolina, the defending league tournament champions, was projected as the favorites in the SBC East Division with 72 points and all 12 first-place votes. South Alabama was picked second with 51 points, while Georgia Southern was selected third with 43 points. Georgia State (37 points), Appalachian State (30 points) and Troy (19 points) comprised the bottom half of the east division.

The upcoming campaign will be the second that the Sun Belt will utilize a divisional format. The Bobcats were also picked second in the west division in last season’s preseason poll. TXST went on to post a 13-3 mark in league play to finish runners-up behind A-State.

The preseason All-SBC team was also announced Monday. Seniors Jaliyah Bolden and Erin Hoppe were both named to the squad, and Hoppe was honored as the 2017 SBC Preseason Setter of the Year.

The two preseason selections are the most garnered by Texas State since becoming league members in 2013. Hoppe is the second Bobcat to be named the Sun Belt Preseason Setter of the Year, joining Caylin Mahoney (2014).

Texas State will open its 2017 campaign in College Station, Texas, at the Texas A&M Invitational. The Bobcats will face both Sam Houston State and VCU on Aug. 25 before meeting host Texas A&M on Aug. 26. The home portion of the schedule is slated to begin Sept. 7-9 with the annual Creeds & Crests Classic. Patrons will be treated to matches featuring SMU, UTSA, UMass Lowell and Houston Baptist.

All season tickets are general admission, and they are on sale now for $40. Special groups such as Bobcat Club donors, Texas State faculty and staff, recent alumni (2013-17) and T-Association members can receive a special discounted rate of $30 per season ticket.

Fans can renew their seats by logging into their online account at txstatebobcats.com/tickets, calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 512-245-2272, or by visiting the Athletic Ticket Office at Bobcat Stadium during normal business hours (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

2017 SBC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

first-place votes in parentheses

WEST DIVISION

1. Arkansas State (11) 71
2. Texas State (1) 57
3. UTA              50
4. Little Rock  34
5. Louisiana         28
6. ULM             12

EAST DIVISION

1. Coastal Carolina (12) 72
2. South Alabama 51
3. Georgia Southern 43
4. Georgia State 37
5. Appalachian State 30
6. Troy              19

2017 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Team

• Emma Longley (Appalachian State, So., OH)
• ** Kenzie Fields (Arkansas State, So., OH)
• * Carlisa May (Arkansas State, Jr., OH)
• Jessica Uke (Arkansas State, Sr., MB)
• * Leah Hardeman (Coastal Carolina, Sr., OH)
• Stacey Reilly (Louisiana, Sr., OH)
• Jessica Bartczyszyn (Louisiana, Sr., S)
• Kacey Leblanc (ULM, Sr., LIB/DS)
• ** Qiana Cañete (UTA, Sr., OH)
• Zhanelle Geathers (UTA, Jr., MB)
• ** Erin Hoppe (Texas State, Sr., S)
• Jaliyah Bolden (Texas State, Sr., MB)

* –  denotes 2016 All-SBC First Team | ** denotes 2016 All-SBC Second Team

2017 Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

Leah Hardeman (Coastal Carolina, Sr., OH)

2017 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Kacey Leblanc (ULM, Sr., LIB/DS)

2017 Sun Belt Preseason Setter of the Year

Erin Hoppe (Texas State, Sr., S)