SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Samford Volleyball team was picked to finish second in the Southern Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll announced on Wednesday, while Lauren Deaton and Kenya McQuirter were both named to the Preseason All-SoCon Team.
 
Deaton (Memphis, Tenn.) returns for her final campaign with the Bulldogs and looks to put an exclamation mark on an already historic career. The fifth-year outside hitter has earned All-SoCon honors in all four years with the program, including twice being named to the All-SoCon first team and earning 2021 Spring SoCon Player of the Year. She currently ranks in the top 10 in program history in both career kills and attempts.
 
McQuirter (Mobile, Ala.) led the Bulldogs in 2021 with 395 kills on her way to being named First Team All-SoCon. She additionally earned 2021 Spring SoCon Freshman of the year honors and 2021 SoCon All-Tournament Team honors for her postseason performance in the fall of 2021.
 
The Bulldogs (56) were edged out by Wofford (57) by one point for first place in the preseason poll. Both the Bulldogs and Terriers grabbed a conference-high three first-place votes. ETSU was picked third, Mercer fourth, and Western Carolina fifth.

The Bulldogs will open up their 2022 campaign on Friday, Aug. 26 against LSU in game one of the Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, La. 
 
2022 Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Wofford (3)	57
2. Samford (3)	56
3. ETSU (2)	45
4. Mercer (1)	40
5. Western Carolina	32
6. UNCG	30
7. The Citadel	29
8.  Furman	22
9.  Chattanooga	13

 
() denotes first-place votes
 
2022 Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Lauren Deaton, Samford, Gr., OH
Merry Gebel, Western Carolina, Gr., OH
Kenya McQuirter, Samford, R-Jr., OH
Annie Karle, Mercer, Gr., OH *
Ali Ruffin, The Citadel, So., OH *
Sarah Barham, Wofford, Jr., MB
Gabriela McHugh, UNCG, Sr., S
Destinee Dorsey, Western Carolina, Jr., LIB *
Emily Hodsdon, Wofford, Jr., S *
 
* Indicates tie
 
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