Aug. 15, 2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - On Wednesday, Conference USA released the preseason coaches' poll and the 2012 All-Conference USA Preseason team. The Tigers were picked to finish seventh in the league while senior outside hitter Altrese Hawkins was selected to the All-Conference USA preseason team.

Hawkins led the Tigers and finished second in the league with 532 kills a season ago. Her 4.40 kills per set also landed her second in C-USA. She also posted a .285 attack percentage, which led the Tigers. Hawkins has been named first team All-C-USA in each of the past two seasons.

Memphis finished eighth in the league a season ago with a C-USA mark of 9-11. In 2012, the Tigers are predicted to finish seventh in the 12-team conference. Two-time defending C-USA champion, Tulsa received 11 first place votes as they were picked to finish in first place. Rice was picked to finish second, and UCF was selected to finish third as they received the final first place vote.

The Tigers won their final three matches of 2011 to post their first 20-win season since 2007.

Memphis will host their annual Blue-Gray scrimmage on Wednesday, August 22 at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The match will start at 7:00 p.m., and admission will be free.