Aug. 14, 2008

MACON, Ga. - Coming of their fourth straight 20-win season, Belmont volleyball is poised to, again, be one of the top teams in the Atlantic Sun in 2008 according to the latest preseason poll and preseason all-conference team released Thursday.

Senior outside hitter Cat Mundy (Dallas, Texas) was chosen Atlantic Sun Player of the Year and was a unanimous selection to the all-conference team; middle hitter and fellow senior Emily Cahill (Lakeside Park, Ky.) also represents the Bruins on the all-conference team. As a team, the Bruins were picked third in the conference standings, while garnering one first place vote. The decision for the A-Sun tournament champion was split between rivals Lipscomb and Belmont.

Mundy begins her senior campaign as one of the most explosive players in Belmont volleyball history. Last season, on her way to a first-team All-Atlantic Sun selection, the Dallas native led the league in points per game (5.50) and finished with 465 kills, placing her third on Belmont's single-season record list. Mundy is also poised to make a dent in Belmont's top-five record list in career kills this season with 909 as she closes in on Debra Minot (1994-96; 1,038).

"Cat's ability to attack every set along the net, attack it well, and hit it with pace makes her unique," head coach Deane Webb said. "I don't believe there is a hitter in conference that is more versatile."

Cahill has already left a legacy of being one of the most productive and consistent hitters at Belmont and in the Atlantic Sun. After three seasons as a Bruin, Cahill has the most accurate hitting percentage in Bruin volleyball history (.340) and helped the team finish second in the A-Sun in that category.

"Emily understands the game of volleyball," Webb explained. "She understands what shot is required, how to execute it, and what to look for in opposing defenses. She is stronger now than she has been in the past, and that will be a great help to her this season."

Despite the fact that the Bruins are only fielding two seniors, Cahill and Mundy, it helps that those seniors are leaders on and off the court.

"Just as many leaders have done before, Cat and Emily will be counted on to teach what they've learned to another generation of Belmont players," Webb said. "I'm thrilled to be a part of a program with leaders that want our program to succeed - not just while they are here, but even after they are gone."

Belmont opens the 2008 season in Fort Worth, Texas as they compete in the TCU Tournament against the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Friday, August 29.

Complete Release in PDF Format

For the Atlantic Sun Conference release, click here

Preseason Poll
School                Pts    1st
1. Florida Gulf Coast        115    (9)
2. Lipscomb                   100
3. Belmont                         97    (1)
4. Jacksonville                95
5. East Tennessee State    83    (1)
6. Mercer                       58
7. North Florida               45
8. Stetson                      44
9. Campbell                    33
10. USC Upstate               31
11. Kennesaw State           24
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
Pos       Player                           School                Yr
L    Shelley Walroth             Jacksonville      Jr.
OH  Sara Bendorf *              Jacksonville      Sr.
S    Roberta Santos              FGCU              Sr.
OH  Ana Kokanovic               FGCU              Sr.
OH   Cat Mundy *                    Belmont            Sr.
MH   Emily Cahill                      Belmont            Sr.        
S    Jake Pease                   Lipscomb         So.
 
Player of the Year: Cat Mundy

* - Unanimous section