Marshall University Athletics
Herd Picked Second in the East and Debell Tabbed Preseason All-Conference USA
1/14/2021 1:57:00 PM | Volleyball
Volleyball begins 2021 season Jan. 31 at Xavier
IRVING, Texas – Marshall volleyball was picked to finish second in the East Division in the Conference USA Preseason Coaches' Poll while redshirt senior Ciara Debell was honored on the Preseason All-Conference team for the second year in-a-row, the league office announced Thursday.
Â
Marshall finally begins its season on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m., at Xavier. The Herd then plays Xavier at home on Sunday, Feb. 14. Marshall begins conference play Feb. 7 at home versus Charlotte.
Â
"It's an amazing compliment that the C-USA coaches picked us second in the East for the preseason poll," second-year head coach Ari Aganus said. "The team worked really hard in 2019 to finish the way we did and we hope to continue riding that momentum even with the challenges we have faced and will continue to face this season. With almost everyone returning and being able to add new pieces to the program, we can really do some great things this spring season. Everyone has been anxiously working hard in the gym since we reported back in August and we cannot wait for the opportunity to compete in one of the best volleyball conferences again."
Â
Conference USA has made the switch to an East and West Division in 2021, making it the first time that the conference has been split into divisions since 2000 with the American and National divisions. WKU was picked to finish first in the East, and Rice was tabbed first in the West.
Â
Debell has piled up numerous awards since transferring to Marshall in 2018 from Florida Gulf Coast. The Ocala, Fla., native was named First Team All-C-USA, was a three-time conference player of the week and an AVCA All-South Region selection in 2019 as well. In just two seasons, Debell has tallied 859 kills and is currently second in program history averaging 4.21 kills per set over her career. The outside hitter has been an all-around performer for the Herd as Debell finished second on the squad last year with 254 digs and third in total blocks with 76. She added 16 aces as well.
Â
"Ciara is a great player and we're thrilled to have her back," coach Aganus said. "She had an amazing year last year and obviously helped us in a lot of ways so it's great that she is being recognized by the other coaches. She continues to work hard in the gym and is a great student of the game. She continues to master her craft and we are excited to see what she can do on the court this spring."
Â
The Thundering Herd was picked to finish 10th in the 2019 preseason poll and instead finished fourth with a conference mark of 9-5, and an overall record of 18-10, qualifying for the conference tournament. In coach Aganus' first season, the Herd improved by eight wins overall and six more victories in conference action. Marshall fell in the first round to Florida Atlantic, however the team returns many key pieces from last season's success.
Â
Along with Debell the Herd returns seniors Destiny Leon (130 total blocks) and Sydney Lostumo (472 assists), juniors Sarah Schank (235 kills) and Zoie Holley, and sophomores Megan Taylor and Meagan Camden. Marshall welcomes seven newcomers with four freshmen and three transfers. The freshman class consists of Dominique Turner, Alyssa Evans, Riley Winslow and Anna Calcagno. Transfers now wearing the Green & White are junior Macy McElhaney (WVU), redshirt sophomore Hayley Delor (Urbana University) and redshirt freshman Olivia Fogo (USC Upstate).
Â
Preseason Poll
East
1. WKU
2. Marshall
3. Florida Atlantic
4. Charlotte
5. Middle Tennessee
6. FIU
7. Old Dominion
Â
West
1. Rice
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
4. UTEP
5. UAB
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Southern Miss
Â
Preseason Team
Sydney Rowan, Charlotte
Fiorella Murillo, FIU
Sydney Nemtuda, Florida Atlantic
Ciara Debell, Marshall
Kayla Henley, Middle Tennessee
Rhett Robinson, North Texas
Nicole Lennon, Rice
Anota Adekunle, Rice
Cheyenne Jones, UTEP
Paige Briggs, WKU
Lauren Matthews, WKU
Nadia Dieudonne, WKU
Â
Preseason Player of the Year
Lauren Matthews, WKU
Â
For all the latest information about Marshall volleyball, follow @HerdVolleyball on Twitter and Marshall University Volleyball on Facebook.
Â
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!​
Â
Â
Marshall finally begins its season on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m., at Xavier. The Herd then plays Xavier at home on Sunday, Feb. 14. Marshall begins conference play Feb. 7 at home versus Charlotte.
Â
"It's an amazing compliment that the C-USA coaches picked us second in the East for the preseason poll," second-year head coach Ari Aganus said. "The team worked really hard in 2019 to finish the way we did and we hope to continue riding that momentum even with the challenges we have faced and will continue to face this season. With almost everyone returning and being able to add new pieces to the program, we can really do some great things this spring season. Everyone has been anxiously working hard in the gym since we reported back in August and we cannot wait for the opportunity to compete in one of the best volleyball conferences again."
Â
Conference USA has made the switch to an East and West Division in 2021, making it the first time that the conference has been split into divisions since 2000 with the American and National divisions. WKU was picked to finish first in the East, and Rice was tabbed first in the West.
Â
Debell has piled up numerous awards since transferring to Marshall in 2018 from Florida Gulf Coast. The Ocala, Fla., native was named First Team All-C-USA, was a three-time conference player of the week and an AVCA All-South Region selection in 2019 as well. In just two seasons, Debell has tallied 859 kills and is currently second in program history averaging 4.21 kills per set over her career. The outside hitter has been an all-around performer for the Herd as Debell finished second on the squad last year with 254 digs and third in total blocks with 76. She added 16 aces as well.
Â
"Ciara is a great player and we're thrilled to have her back," coach Aganus said. "She had an amazing year last year and obviously helped us in a lot of ways so it's great that she is being recognized by the other coaches. She continues to work hard in the gym and is a great student of the game. She continues to master her craft and we are excited to see what she can do on the court this spring."
Â
The Thundering Herd was picked to finish 10th in the 2019 preseason poll and instead finished fourth with a conference mark of 9-5, and an overall record of 18-10, qualifying for the conference tournament. In coach Aganus' first season, the Herd improved by eight wins overall and six more victories in conference action. Marshall fell in the first round to Florida Atlantic, however the team returns many key pieces from last season's success.
Â
Along with Debell the Herd returns seniors Destiny Leon (130 total blocks) and Sydney Lostumo (472 assists), juniors Sarah Schank (235 kills) and Zoie Holley, and sophomores Megan Taylor and Meagan Camden. Marshall welcomes seven newcomers with four freshmen and three transfers. The freshman class consists of Dominique Turner, Alyssa Evans, Riley Winslow and Anna Calcagno. Transfers now wearing the Green & White are junior Macy McElhaney (WVU), redshirt sophomore Hayley Delor (Urbana University) and redshirt freshman Olivia Fogo (USC Upstate).
Â
Preseason Poll
East
1. WKU
2. Marshall
3. Florida Atlantic
4. Charlotte
5. Middle Tennessee
6. FIU
7. Old Dominion
Â
West
1. Rice
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
4. UTEP
5. UAB
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Southern Miss
Â
Preseason Team
Sydney Rowan, Charlotte
Fiorella Murillo, FIU
Sydney Nemtuda, Florida Atlantic
Ciara Debell, Marshall
Kayla Henley, Middle Tennessee
Rhett Robinson, North Texas
Nicole Lennon, Rice
Anota Adekunle, Rice
Cheyenne Jones, UTEP
Paige Briggs, WKU
Lauren Matthews, WKU
Nadia Dieudonne, WKU
Â
Preseason Player of the Year
Lauren Matthews, WKU
Â
For all the latest information about Marshall volleyball, follow @HerdVolleyball on Twitter and Marshall University Volleyball on Facebook.
Â
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!​
Â
---HerdZone.com---
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
DS
/ VolleyballSaturday, November 08
Thursday, April 17
Thursday, April 17
Thursday, April 17