July 15, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis rising sophomore outside hitter Altrese Hawkins was named to the 2010 COBRA Magazine All-Preseason Second Team the volleyball publication announced.

Hawkins earns the honors after a strong freshman campaign in 2009. The Schaumburg, Ill., native led Memphis with 335 kills and hit a team-high .282 en route to being named to COBRA Magazine's All-National Second Team as well as being tabbed a C-USA All-Freshman performer.

Just the sixth Tiger freshman ever to reach 300 kills in a single season, Hawkins kills totals in 2009 rank fourth on Memphis' freshman kills list. Hawkins played in all 108 sets a season ago and reached double-figures in kills 18 times. She highlighted her banner season with a 25-kill outing in which she hit .429 against UT-Martin. The 25 kills are the third-most kills by a freshman in Memphis history. Hawkins slammed 20 or more kills three times in her rookie season, including downing 21 kills and a robust .581 attack percentage in a win over East Carolina.

Memphis will kick off its 2010 season on August 27, when it takes on Jacksonville State in the Belmont Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.