Cowgirls Picked Second: Parnell Named Presesaon Player of the Year

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons' volleyball team has been picked to finish second in the American Southwest Conference West Division, in a preseason poll of the coaches, sports information directors and media.

The Cowgirls tied for the ASC West title last season with Texas Lutheran and then dropped a tough five-setter to the Bulldogs in the ASC Championship. TLU was picked to win the West with a total of 91 poll points and 14 first-place votes. HSU was second with 86 poll points and four first-place votes.

McMurry was picked third, Concordia fourth, followed by Schreiner, Howard Payne and Sul Ross State. UT-Dallas was picked to win the ASC East.

Cowgirl junior middle blocker Kaela Parnell was named the preseason offensive player of the year in the conference. Sara Keithley of Concordia was named the preseason defensive player of the year.

HSU went 22-9 last season and was 16-2 in ASC West action. They return nine lettermen and four starters from last year's team.