Aug. 11, 2011

IRVING, Texas - For the second-straight year, University of Memphis outside hitter Altrese Hawkins was named to the 2011 All-Conference USA Preseason Team as announced by the league Thursday.

"Of course I am always pleased to see when Altrese is recognized for her achievements," head coach April Jauregui said. "She deserves the accolades. Altrese has worked hard on improving her all-around game as well and we expect great things from her this season."

This is the second individual nod for Hawkins heading into the 2011 season. She was tabbed an All-Preseason First Team performer by COBRA Volleyball Magazine in July. 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.

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.

"While it is nice to have a player recognized, I'm also excited about what we are doing as a team in the gym," Coach Jauregui said. "I look forward to showcasing the depth of talent we have on this team this season."

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.

2011 CONFERENCE USA PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Tulsa (10)                            
2. SMU (1)                             
3. Houston (1)                        
4. Southern Miss                    
5. Tulane                                
6. Rice                                    
7. UAB                                     
8. UCF                                    
9. Memphis                            
10. Marshall
11. UTEP                                
12. East Carolina
(#) First Place Votes in Parenthesis

2011 ALL-CONFERENCE USA PRESEASON TEAM
Student-Athlete                      School                 Pos.             Ht.           Cl.            Hometown                             
Lucy Charuk                           Houston              MB              6-2           RS Sr.       Tswwassen, British Columbia
Chandace Tryon                      Houston              MB              6-0           Jr.            Corpus Christi, Texas
Altrese Hawkins                       Memphis            OH              5-10         RS Jr.        Schaumburg, Ill.
Nancy Cole                             Rice                    MB              6-3           Jr.            Pasadena, Texas
Courtney Manning                   SMU                    MB              6-0           Jr.            Mesquite, Texas
Dana Powell                            SMU                   OH              5-10         Sr.            Tulsa, Okla.
Ashley Mell                             Southern Miss      OH              6-3          RS Sr.        Yorba Linda, Calif.
Kelsea Seymour                      Southern Miss      S                 5-9          Sr.            Long Beach, Calif.
Izabela Grot                           Tulane                RS/OH          6-2          RS Jr.        Krakow, Poland
Jessica Adams                        Tulsa                  DS/L             5-7          Jr.             Oklahoma City, Okla
Tyler Henderson *                   Tulsa                  OH               5-10        Jr.             Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sam Serley                             UAB                    MB               6-2          Jr.             Nashville, Tenn.
* denotes C-USA Preseason Player of the Year.
NOTE: Due to a tie for the final spot this year's preseason team is 12 members instead of 11