Three Pirates Named To PBC Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Squad

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Three members of the defending Peach Belt and NCAA Region champion Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad have earned spots on the PBC Preseason All-Conference squad, announced today by league officials. Sophomore outside hitter Torrie Bevolo, senior middle hitter Michele Remlinger and sophomore libero Casey Howett all earned spots on the nine-member squad as voted on by PBC coaches.

Bevolo, the 2008 PBC Tournament MVP, earned AVCA All-Southeast Region honors as a freshman for the Pirates. She led the Pirates in kills (393) while ranking among the PBC's top 10 leaders in hitting percentage (.220), kills per set (3.12), service aces per set (0.33) and digs per set (3.33) in her debut season.

Remlinger, meanwhile, led the PBC and ranked 22nd in NCAA Division II in hitting percentage at .352. A PBC Player of the Week honoree during the 2008 season, she ranked among the league's leaders in kills per set (2.57) and blocks per set (0.70) as well. The duo were two of the seven hitters named to the squad.

Howett was the only libero on the squad as she became the first AASU libero to earn AVCA All-Region honors in 2008, averaging 3.87 digs per set to rank 5th in the PBC, but in league-only matches, Howett averaged 5.03 digs per set, leading the conference. She also earned PBC Specialist of the Week honors and her 492 digs last season were the second-most in a single season at AASU.

To view the complete 2009 PBC Volleyball Preseason Poll, click here.

The Pirates also learned that they are among teams receiving votes in the preseason AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, released late Thursday. AASU received six votes in the preseason poll, one of only two teams in the Southeast Region to be mentioned - SAC foe Wingate also was among the teams receiving votes. AASU was the only team in the PBC to receive votes in the poll.

To view the complete AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, click here.

The Pirates open the 2009 season on Friday, August 28, at the Anderson (S.C.) Invitational in Anderson, S.C.