Volleyball Picked to Finish Fourth in BIG EAST; Scott Earns Preseason Honors

Aug. 17, 2012

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Conference, as voted by the league's head coaches. The reigning BIG EAST Tournament champions earned 139 points and one first-place vote. Also, senior outside hitter/right-side blocker Jordanne Scott was named a preseason All-BIG EAST First Team member for the second-straight year.

The Bearcats finished the 2011 season with a 27-10 record and a 12-2 mark in conference play, on the way to their first BIG EAST Tournament championship title. First year head coach Molly Alvey will be without 2011 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player Missy Harpenau. However, the Bearcats do return All-BIG EAST First Team selection Scott for her senior season. Scott, a two-time All-America honorable mention selection, ranked fourth in the league last year with a .319 hitting percentage and was named to the AVCA All-Northeast Region Team. She is a unanimous 2012 All-BIG EAST Preseason pick.

The Bearcats will open the season at 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 against Iowa State at the University of Tennessee Tournament.

2012 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll

2011 2011

BIG 2011 BIG EAST

School Points EAST Overall Finish

1. Louisville (12) 168 13-1 24-9 1st

2. Marquette (1) 150 12-2 24-11 3rd

3. Notre Dame 140 8-6 17-13 T-4th

4. Cincinnati (1) 139 12-2 27-10 T-2nd

5. Syracuse 112 8-6 19-12 T-4th

6. Pittsburgh 96 7-7 18-15 T-8th

7. Seton Hall 88 8-6 17-13 T-4th

8. Villanova 83 8-6 17-13 T-4th

9. USF 75 7-7 12-16 T-8th

10. Connecticut 72 4-10 14-15 12th

11. Georgetown 60 6-8 14-13 10th

12. St. John's 33 1-13 10-21 15th

13. DePaul 31 3-11 7-22 T-13th

14. Rutgers 27 3-11 10-21 T-13th

(-) - first-place votes

2012 BIG EAST Volleyball Preseason Awards

BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year

* Lola Arslanbekova, Louisville, Sr., OH

All-BIG EAST Preseason Team

* Jordanne Scott, Cincinnati, Sr., MB/RS

* Lola Arslanbekova, Louisville, Sr., OH

* Emily Juhl, Louisville, Jr., OH

Gwen Rucker, Louisville, Sr., MH

* Danielle Carlson, Marquette Sr., MH

Holly Mertens, Marquette, RS-Sr., RS

Jeni Houser, Notre Dame, So., RS

Monica Wignot, Pittsburgh, Jr., OH

Shelby Manthorpe, Seton Hall, So, S

Samantha Hinz, Syracuse, Sr., MB

Lindsay McCabe, Syracuse, Jr., MB

Valerie El Houssine, USF, So., OH

* - unanimous selection