Marshall University Athletics
Herd Volleyball Picked First in C-USA Preseason Poll
8/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 3, 2006
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Conference USA coaches have chosen Marshall as the favorite to repeat as league champions in 2006. The Thundering Herd received eight of the 12 first place votes in the preseason poll released today by the league.
Head coach Mitch Jacobs said it was an honor to be chosen first after losing key players from the 2005 squad.
"It is flattering that the league coaches feel that what we return will be enough to push us toward another championship," he said. "However, we are a long way from last year's squad. This team, although returning some proven talent, has a lot of questions that will need to be answered in the early segments of the season."
For the second consecutive year Kelly-Anne Billingy was named preseason player of the year. Coming off another season with more than 550 kills and a record for career killing percentage of .329, Billingy's latest honor adds to her accomplishments.
"Kelly being selected as the preseason player of the year again is a tremendous honor for us as a program and her individually," Jacobs said.
He also spoke highly of other C-USA players that can compete for the conference's highest individual honor.
"There are quite a few in this league that can challenge her for the award come seasons end," he said.
Joining Billingy on the preseason all-conference team are libero Maggie Arias and outside hitter Stephanie Cahill. Arias finished the 2005 schedule with 435 digs, good enough for the fourth best in school history for a single season. While the multidimensional Cahill finished second on the team in digs and aces in 2005. Cahill is also tied for third in school history with seven aces in a single match, coming last season against Southern Miss.
Jacobs said Arias and Cahill are instrumental in the team's success and they will have to continue their level in 2006.
"Steph and Maggie were both extremely important to our success last season," he said. "I think it is wonderful to see the respect the other coaches have for these two players. They will certainly need to perform at their highest levels this season if we are going to challenge for another title."
Jacobs added his team will need to be able to maintain its momentum from last season and stay free from injury.
"I just hope we can remain healthy as a unit and push through what looks to be a much improved league top to bottom," he said.
