July 15, 2011

2011 COBRA Magazine All-Preseason Awards Release

COBRA Magazine Issue 14

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis outside hitter Altrese Hawkins was named to the 2011 COBRA Magazine All-Preseason First Team, the volleyball publication announced Friday.

Hawkins earns the honor after a stellar sophomore season as the top attacker for the Tiger volleyball squad. The Schaumburg, Ill., native led Memphis with 483 kills and a team-best .305 hitting percentage en route to being named to COBRA Magazine's All-National Second Team as well as being tabbed a C-USA All-First Team performer.

"As always, I am very proud of Altrese," Memphis head coach April Jauregui said. "She has shown what it truly means to be a Tiger. She represents herself, this university and our program with the upmost class both on and off the court. I expect great things from her and the team this season."

The rising junior was one of only two Tigers to play in all 122 sets during the 2010 campaign, highlighted by a 29-kill performance against Southern Miss on Oct. 29. The 29-kill showing ranks eighth in the Memphis record book for most kills in a single match. Hawkins is also just 182 kills away from becoming the 21st Memphis player to tally 1,000 career kills.

The Tigers kick off the 2011 campaign with the Memphis Invitational Aug. 26-27 on campus at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Memphis' first game is schedule for 12 p.m. on Aug. 26 against Alabama A&M.