AUGUSTA, GA -- The Peach Belt Conference has released the
nine-member preseason volleyball All-Conference team from the
league office in Augusta. The team was selected by the
league’s head coaches and represents six of the eight
volleyball-playing schools in the conference. Defending PBC
Champion Armstrong Atlantic State leads the way with three
selections while PBC newcomer Flagler has two. Augusta State,
Lander, UNC Pembroke and another new PBC team, Montevallo, have one
honoree each.
Armstrong Atlantic State’s Torrie Bevolo was named the 2008
PBC Tournament most valuable player and AVCA All-Region as a
freshman. Now returning for her sophomore season, Bevolo led the
Pirates with 393 kills, the 10th-highest singles-season total in
school history. Michelle Remlinger led the PBC and was ranked 22nd
in the NCAA with a .352 hitting percentage. The senior middle
hitter was also ranked ninth in kills per set and was named a PBC
Player of the Week. Casey Howett is the preseason All-Conference
libero. The sophomore was named All-Region by the AVCA after
recording 3.87 digs per set with 492 total digs on the season, the
second-most in a single season at AASU.
Flagler enters their first season as a member of the Peach Belt,
but their reputation has preceded them with two preseason
All-Conference selections. Senior outside hitter Justine Burkhart
has been named the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association
player of the year twice and is Flagler’s all-time career
kills leader. Last season, Burkhart was ranked 33rd nationally with
3.64 kills per set. She also led the team in aces and was second in
digs. Meg Weathersby begins her junior year after being named
All-ICAA last year. The outside hitter was second on the team with
329 kills and was also second in aces and fourth in digs.
Augusta State’s Jessica Howard led the PBC with 488 kills in
2008 and was named All-Conference. The returning senior also led
the league and was ranked 11th nationally with 1.2 blocks per set.
Lander’s Candace LaRocca is the preseason All-Conference
setter. The 2007 PBC Freshman of the Year, she was ranked third in
the PBC in assists in 2008 with 9.48 per game. The junior was also
ranked seventh in aces and 13th in digs. UNC Pembroke’s Allie
Schnieder was named the 2008 PBC Freshman of the Year after leading
the Lady Braves with 322 kills which was also third in the
conference. She was one of three PBC players to be ranked in the
top 10 in kills and digs. Montevallo begins their first season of
PBC play in 2009 and will look to senior middle hitter Katie
Johnson on the front line. Johnson led the Falcons in hitting
percentage and was ranked third on the team in both kills and
blocks while turning in 80 aces and 1.67 digs per game.
Peach Belt Conference
2009 Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Hitters
Torrie Bevolo, Armstrong Atlantic State
Justine Burkhart, Flagler
Jessica Howard, Augusta State
Katie Johnson, Montevallo
Michelle Remlinger, Armstrong Atlantic State
Allie Schneider, UNC Pembroke
Meg Weathersby, Flagler
Setter
Candace LaRocca, Lander
Libero
Casey Howett, Armstrong Atlantic State
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