Aggies tabbed among favorites in LSC North volleyball race

Meyer selected as preseason player of the year

LAWTON, Okla. (July 6) - After finishing among a three-way tie for last year's Lone Star Conference North Division crown, the Cameron volleyball team is expected to be in the hunt for the divisional title again this season. Coach Kim Vinson's Aggies have been tabbed to finish second in this year's race following preseason voting among the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.

Cameron collected 74 points in the poll and finished just three points behind favorite Central Oklahoma. The Aggies picked up four first-place votes and seven second-place nods, while UCO was picked first on seven ballots and second on three. Texas Woman's University, which rounded out last year's three-way log jam atop the division standings, finished third in the poll with four first-place votes and 70 total points.

"It's going to be another tough race this season," Vinson said. "A lot of teams lost key players from last year's squads, so it's going to be interesting to see which teams are able to reload. It should be exciting and extremely competitive."

Texas A&M-Commerce finished a distant fourth in the preseason poll, followed by Midwestern State and Southeastern Oklahoma.

In the LSC South Division preseason poll, West Texas A&M is a slight favorite to pick up its seventh straight divisional title. The Lady Buffs collected one less first-place vote (8) than runner-up Abilene Christian, but bettered the Wildcats by one point in the voting totals.

In other league voting, Cameron senior outside hitter Morgan Meyer was the pick as North Division Preseason Player of the Year. The only first team All-LSC North selection returning to the league this season, Meyer won preseason honors over teammate Jenny Head and TWU's Carley Messmer. Last season, the 5-9 Alvin, Texas, native ranked second on the team in virtually every offensive category. Meyer complimented senior All-American Kelsey Kosick, who was named the division's preseason and postseason player of the year, racking up 427 kills, 391 digs and 39 service aces. ACU junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt was named the LSC South Preseason Player of the Year.

Cameron finished the 2003 season with an overall record of 21-12. The Aggies advanced to the conference postseason tournament for the seventh consecutive year, reaching the LSC semifinals. Cameron will open the 2004 campaign Aug. 27, competing in the Rockhurst Invitational in Kansas City. To view the complete Lone Star Conference preseason volleyball polls, visit the LSC online at www.lonestarconference.org.