FULL NOTES (PDF)

SAMFORD TO OPEN 2012 SEASON AT HURRICANE INVITATIONAL
The Bulldogs will open the season on the campus of the University of Miami, competing in the Hurricane Invitational.  Samford plays three matches over two days, kicking things off against Rutgers on Friday, August 24 at 10 a.m. ET.  On Saturday, August 25, Samford will play Ole Miss at 10 a.m. ET and will conclude competition against the host team, Miami, at 7 p.m. ET.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Rutgers (2011 Record: 10-21, 3-11 Big East) - The Scarlet Knights will have a whole new look in 2012, as they have more newcomers than returners.  Twelve newcomers, including three transfers, will provide depth as well as significant improvements in multiple positions.  Their leading returner on offense is Alex Jones, who tallied 224 kills in 66 sets (3.39/set) while Stephanie Zielinski returns as a setter after leading the team in assists (1,151) and digs (332) in 2011.

Ole Miss (2011 Record: 11-17, 7-13 SEC) - The Rebels begin their 11th season under Head Coach Joe Getzin and are coming off an 11-17 campaign where they finished third in the SEC West.  They return nine letterwinners from last season, including four position starters and their libero.  Right side Allegra Wells returns after earning a team-leading 290 kills last season and Amanda Philpot will again pace the offense as the setter after earning 964 assists in 2011.

Miami (2011 Record: 26-5, 16-4 ACC) - The Hurricanes earned top 25 votes in the first AVCA poll this season, as they return three starters and 10 letterwinners from a very successful 2011 team that placed second in the ACC.  However, they will be without their three 2011 All-ACC honorees, whom they lost to graduation.  The Hurricanes won their first match in the 2011 NCAA Tournament against Northern Illinois, 3-1, but were swept in the next round by host team Iowa State.  Alex Johnson is their leading returning outside hitter, who tallied 290 kills last season, while Ryan Shaffer will anchor the defense after earning a team-leading 484 digs last season.

SAMFORD TABBED AS PRESEASON DIVISION FAVORITE
Samford volleyball has been picked to defend its North Division title in 2012, as the Southern Conference released its preseason volleyball coaches' poll last week.  Samford also led all teams with three representatives on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
It is the third time in the past four seasons that Samford earned the top spot in the preseason poll.  Voted on by the league's 12 head coaches, the Bulldogs received 10 first-place votes and 65 total points while Appalachian State earned two first-place votes, placing second with 48 points.  In the South Division, the College of Charleston received six first-place votes and leads that group with 59 points while Furman and Georgia Southern received three votes each to place second and third, respectively.
 
In addition to the team vote, the coaches voted on an individual Preseason All-Conference team and three Bulldogs made it onto the group of eight.  Elizabeth Neisler, Lauren Hutchinson and Katie Murphy earned All-SoCon honors last season and represent Samford on the 2012 preseason team.

2012 PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
    School (First Place Votes)    Total Points
North Division
1.    Samford (10)    65
2.    Appalachian State (2)    48
3.    Elon    41
4.    UNCG    38
5.    Chattanooga    27
    Western Carolina    27

South Division
1.    College of Charleston (6)    59
2.    Furman (3)    57
3.    Georgia Southern (3)    52
4.    Davidson    36
5.    Wofford    26
6.    Citadel    16

SOCON PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
Elizabeth Neisler - Samford - OH
Lauren Hutchinson - Samford - MB
Katie Murphy - Samford - MB
Kate Van Dyke - Georgia Southern - S
Sloane White - College of Charleston - MB/RS
Natalie Braun - Furman - OH
Caroline Brown - Davidson - OH
Caroline Adams - Furman - MB

UP NEXT
Samford heads to Louisville, Ky, for the Cardinal Classic where they will play three matches over two days.  Action begins against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Friday, August 31 at 5 p.m. ET.  On Saturday, the Bulldogs face the Duke Blue Devils at 1:30 p.m. ET and then face host team Louisville in the marquee matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET.