Red Wolves receive a first-place vote in West Division
JONESBORO, Ark. (8/17/21) – With the start of the 2021 volleyball season just 10 days away, the Sun Belt Conference coaches picked Arkansas State to finish third in the West Division.
The Red Wolves received a first-place vote and ranked third behind reigning league champion Texas State, which received 11 of the 12 top votes, and UT Arlington. Kendahl Davenport, a second-team all-conference selection in 2020, earned a preseason All-Sun Belt nod entering her third year at A-State.
Davenport was one of the nation’s top blockers in 2020-21, amassing 87 total blocks with a league-best 1.45 blocks per set. Her set average on the block shattered the previous single-season school record in the 25-point rally-scoring era (since 2008). She tallied 11 matches of five-plus blocks and hit at a team-best .321 attack percentage.
The Red Wolves finished fourth in the division last season, going 8-8 in league play that consisted only of foes from the West Division.
A-State opens the 2021 slate at home, hosting UT Martin, Missouri State and Wichita State in the A-State Invitational (Aug. 27-28). The Red Wolves’ season opener is set for noon CT on Friday, August 27, against UT Martin.
Prior to the season opener, the Red Wolves will square off in its annual intrasquad Scarlet-Black scrimmage, set for Noon CT on Saturday, Aug. 21, at First National Bank Arena. The scrimmage is open to the public and admission is free.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow the team on Twitter (@AStateVB) and Instagram (astatevb) along with liking the Arkansas State University Volleyball page on Facebook for the latest news and updates regarding the team.
2021 SUN BELT CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
East Division
1. Coastal Carolina (11) – 71
2. Troy (1) – 59
3. Georgia Southern – 36
4. Appalachian State – 32
5. South Alabama – 28
6. Georgia State – 26
West Division
1. Texas State (11) – 69
2. UTA – 55
3. Arkansas State (1) – 48
4. Louisiana – 35
5. Little Rock – 27
6. ULM – 18
2021 SUN BELT CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON AWARDS
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Janell Fitzgerald, Texas State (Jr., OH – Mansfield, Texas)
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Alli Wells, UTA (So., L – Waxahachie, Texas)
Preseason Setter of the Year
Emily DeWalt, Texas State (Jr., S – Helotes, Texas)
Preseason Libero of the Year
Alli Wells, UTA (So., L – Waxahachie, Texas)
Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
OH – Ani Bozdeva, Coastal Carolina (Super Sr. – Razlog, Bulgaria)
OH – Laura Jansen, Little Rock (Sr. – Doetinchem, Netherlands)
OH – Brooke Townsend, UTA (Jr. – Bastrop, Texas)
OH – Janell Fitzgerald, Texas State (Jr. – Mansfield, Texas)
OH – Cheyenne Hayes, Troy (Sr. – Newnan, Ga.)
MB – Tyeranee Scott, Texas State (Sr. – Houston, Texas)
RS/MB – Kendahl Davenport, Arkansas State (RS So. – Conway, Ark.)
RS/MB – Mya Wilson, Georgia Southern (Jr. – Orlando, Fla.)
S – Brigitta Petrenko, Coastal Carolina (Jr. – Eger, Hungary)
S – Emily DeWalt, Texas State (Jr. – Helotes, Texas)
S – Amara Anderson, Troy (Jr. – Alpharetta, Ga.)
L – Alli Wells, UTA (So. – Waxahachie, Texas)
