MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama volleyball was picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, and sophomore Mechell Daniel was named to the league’s preseason All-Conference team.
Daniel Builds on Freshman Season
Daniel, a sophomore from Chelmsford, England, ranked third in the Sun Belt last season in kills (423, 3.81 per set) and points (4.33 per set) as a true freshman.
She was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Week four times and earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors. At season’s end, she was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Conference selection.
Her 423 kills were the most ever by a South Alabama freshman and the sixth-most in a single season in program history. She had 24 matches with double-figure kills, including four with 20 or more, and recorded 14 double-doubles, 13 of them in conference play, including a streak of nine straight.
Preseason Poll
South Alabama received one first-place vote and 76 points. Arkansas-Little Rock was picked to win the conference with four first-place votes.
- 1. Arkansas-Little Rock (4) – 110
- 2. Texas State (3) – 99
- 3. Georgia Southern (2) – 95
- 4. Texas-Arlington – 83
- 5. South Alabama (1) – 76
- 6. Louisiana-Lafayette (1) – 63
- 7. Appalachian State – 62
- 8. Arkansas State – 58
- 9. Troy – 41
- 10. Georgia State – 28
- 11. Louisiana-Monroe – 11
The Jaguars, coached by Amy Hendrichovsky, open the season Aug. 29-30 at the Asics Classic in Malibu, Calif.
