Texas Tech University Athletics
Big 12 Releases Preseason Volleyball picks
August 17, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 17, 1999
DALLAS, Texas - Texas Tech's Colleen Smith was named the Big 12 Conference volleyball preseason Newcomer of the Year while seniors Lori Garber and Courtney Putnam both earned votes for the preseason all conference team in a vote of the league's head coaches released Tuesday by the conference office. Nebraska is picked to win the 1999 Big 12 Conference volleyball championship, while the Huskers' Nancy Meendering is the preseason favorite for Player of the Year. Texas Tech was picked to finish sixth.
The defending Big 12 champion and national semifinalist Huskers received 10 (coaches weren't allowed to vote for their own team) first-place votes. Texas A&M is picked to finish second, followed by Texas, winner of the 1997 conference title, in third. Colorado is the fourth-place choice, with Kansas State fifth and Texas Tech sixth. The top six teams all competed in the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
Smith, a six-foot-seven transfer from Washington State, is a .213 career hitter. Garber was selected an All Region player after leading the Red Raiders in hitting percentage (.346) and averaging 3.51 kills and 1.20 blocks per game. Putnam owns school records for match kills (32) and match attempts (74). Last year she hit .239 with 3.32 kills and 2.28 digs per game.
Nebraska's Nancy Meendering was named the preseason Player of the Year. A 6-1 junior outside hitter, Meendering was a first-team all-conference and AVCA All-American last season. In addition she was named MVP of the NCAA Tournament Pacific Regional. Joining Meendering on the preseason All-Big 12 team is Baylor's Elisha Polk, Colorado's Kelly Campbell, Texas' Erin Aldrich, and Texas A&M's Amber Woolsey and Jenna Moscovic.
Nebraska's Laura Pilakowski is the preseason pick for Freshman of the Year. The 6-1 outside hitter/middle blocker attended Columbus High School in Columbus, Neb.
1999 BIG 12 CONFERENCE PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL 1. Nebraska 100 2. Texas A&M 91 3. Texas 75 4. Colorado 69 5. Kansas State 64 6. TEXAS TECH 61 7. Baylor 45 8. Oklahoma 36 9. Kansas 27 10. Missouri 26 11. Iowa State 111999 BIG 12 CONFERENCE PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL TEAM Player Pos. Ht. Cl/Exp Hometown Elisha Polk, Baylor OH 5-10 Sr/3L Sacramento, Calif. Kelly Campbell, Colorado S 6-1 Sr/3L Corona Del Mar, Calif. Nancy Meendering, Nebraska OH 6-1 Jr/2L Hull, Iowa Erin Aldrich, Texas MB 6-2 Sr/1L Dallas, Texas Jenna Moscovic, Texas A&M S 5-11 So/1L Stockton, Calif. Amber Woolsey, Texas A&M MB 6-3 Sr/3L Chaska, Minn.
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Amanda Reves, Kansas, Dawn Cady, Kansas State, Disney Bronnenberg, Kansas State, Liz Wegner, Kansas State, Mandy Monson, Nebraska, Angie Oxley, Nebraska, Tonia Tauke, Nebraska, Summer Strickland, Texas A&M, Lori Garber, Texas Tech, Courtney Putnam, Texas Tech
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nancy Meendering, Nebraska, OH, 6-1, Jr/2L, Hull, Iowa
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Colleen Smith, Texas Tech, MB/OH, 6-7, Jr/TR, Albuquerque, N.M. (Washington State)
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Laura Pilakowski, Nebraska, OH/MB, 6-1, Fr/HS, Columbus, Neb. (Columbus HS)
--TTU--
