Brooke Alverson Named Pre-Season All-Southland

CORPUS CHRISTI – Texas A&M – Corpus Christi junior Brooke Alverson was named Preseason Second Team All-Southland, the only Islander player recognized by the league. The volleyball team was picked to make its first Southland Conference Tournament appearance since 2006 on Wednesday, being picked to finish seventh in the standings by both the coaches and sports information directors around the league.

Alverson, a middle blocker from Rhome, Texas, led the team in kills (280), total blocks (101), block solos (15) and block assists (86). She was an honorable mention pick following the 2011 season; narrowly missing first team honors this preseason.

"I'm really happy for Brooke, she's worked awfully hard to make a name for herself in the conference," said Graystone. "Without question, she was our best player last year, so she totally deserves that, and hopefully by the end of the year she moves up to the first team."

Following a vote by the league coaches and sports information directors, the Islanders were picked to finish seventh, up two spots from their 2011 finish in ninth place.

The makeup of the league changes this season, with three teams leaving and Oral Roberts joining the conference. ORU was picked to finish second in 2012, coming in one spot behind Central Arkansas, the 2010 Southland Conference Regular Season Champions.

"The preseason polls are more for the fans than anything else," said head coach Tony Graystone. "We know what we've got here and what we're trying to get better at. We know what our goals are, so we are going to just set those polls aside for right now and focus on getting our team ready for the start of the year."

After the top two picks, Sam Houston State was projected third by the SIDs and fourth by coaches, while Lamar was picked third by the coaches and fourth in the SIDs poll. After the split decision, Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State are in the fifth and sixth spots, respectively.

Following the Islanders' seventh spot in the preseason are McNeese State, Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana, in order.

"Our job since I've been here is to just get better and better each year," said Graystone. "We focus on getting better each year and being able to get ourselves into position to be a contender in the conference.

"I like what we've got here. I like our talent; I like what the returners are doing for us and what the newcomers bring to the team. I think our fans are going to be really happy with what they see this year."

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2012 All-Southland Volleyball Preseason Teams

1Returning all-conference selection

2012 Southland Conference Volleyball Preseason Polls

COACHES POLL