Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/372643
10 // 2014 PAC-12 VOLLEYBALL MEDIA GUIDE // PREVIEW Pac-12 volleyball continues to recruit mar- quee student-athletes. Six Pac-12 institutions landed at least one Volleyball Magazine FAB 50 recruit. Here's a list of those freshmen who should make significant contributions to Pac-12 volleyball: VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINE Brittany Abercrombie, OH, USC Sidney Brown, OH, Stanford Reily Buechler, OH, UCLA Kelly Claes, S/OH, USC (sand) Jordan Dunn, MB, USC Lauryn Gillis, OH, USC Crissy Jones, MB, Washington Tia Scambray, OH, Washington Courtney Schwan, OH, Washington Frankie Shebby, OH, Oregon Ashten Smith-Gooden, OH, California That's a total of 11 FAB 50 recruits, which breaks down to 22 percent of the list. Here's the list by conference: Big Ten ..................................... 22 Pac-12 ................................. 11 SEC ............................................ 9 Big 12......................................... 3 ACC ............................................ 1 Big East ...................................... 1 Big West ..................................... 1 Mountain West ............................ 1 Sun Belt...................................... 1 PRESEASON NOTEBOOK Karsta Lowe, UCLA WASHINGTON The Huskies claimed only their third Conference regular-season title last year and their first since 2005. Washington is also on the heels of a NCAA semifinal appearance, its fourth national semifinal appearance in the last 10 years. With five return- ing starters, including AVCA National Player of the Year and Pac-12 Player of the Year Krista Vansant, UW looks to make another strong case for a fourth league title and be a strong contender for the national crown. In addtion to Vansant, also coming back are middle blockers Melanie Wade and Lianna Sybeldon, who anchored a defense that was 21st nationally in blocks per set. Outside hitter Kaleigh Nelson, who was second on the team in scoring behind Vansant, also returns for her senior year. UW also welcomes some of the top-recruiting prep talent as the Huskies inked the fifth-ranked recruiting class, including three hitters that were ranked in the top 20 of the Senior Aces list by PrepVolleyball.com. Washington's primary challenge this season rests at the setter position, and whether to keep the two- setter rotation or allow returnee Katy Beals take on the primary setter duties. WASHINGTON STATE The Cougars return the majority of their leaders for the second-straight season after reaching a win- ning record for the first time in four years. WSU's top-four scorers, including AVCA All-Pacific North Region Freshman of the Year Kyra Holt, are back for another season and in the hunt for their first postseason appearance since 2009. Washington State went undefeated in non-conference play, but saw a competitive Pac-12 season that held them just short of an NCAA Tournament appearance. The Cougs also showed strength defensively as six different players posted 100 or more digs on the season last year, including returning libero Kate Sommer who had 495. The setter spot is open after the departure of Camryn Irwin and could be a challenge to fill for Washington State. Taylor Simpson, Colorado Kyra Holt, Washington State AVCA PRESEASON RANKING 1. Penn State (32) 1417 2. Texas (11) 1389 3. STANFORD (7) 1356 4. WASHINGTON 1280 5. USC (2) 1272 6. Wisconsin (8) 1264 7. Nebraska 1149 8. Purdue 980 9. BYU 924 10. Florida 897 11. Illinois 813 12. Minnesota 802 13. Florida State 695 14. San Diego 628 15. Missouri 547 16. Michigan State 494 17. Hawai'i 481 18. Colorado State 472 19. Kentucky 452 20. North Carolina 378 21. Duke 361 22. Kansas 232 23. Creighton 184 24. American 134 25. ARIZONA STATE 129 Also Receiving Votes: OREGON 115; Oklahoma 114; CALIFORNIA 111; Marquette 102; ARIZONA 60; Iowa State 59; LSU 52; COLORADO 32; UC Santa Barbara 26; Michigan 23; UCLA 23; Cal State Northridge 19; Long Beach State 11; New Mexico 9; UT San Antonio 3.