SAN ANTONIO—UTSA Volleyball senior Marijeta Runjic was named to the 2017 Conference USA Volleyball Preseason Team, while the Roadrunners ranked third in the preseason poll, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Runjic, who garnered the honor for a second straight year, was one of 13 selected to the league's preseason team. Last year, the outside hitter appeared in 26 matches with 17 starts. She averaged a team second-best 2.93 kills per set (278 kills) and tallied 13 matches in double-figure kills.
The Croatian native also ranked fourth on the team with 16 aces (0.17 aces/set), helping UTSA to a .245 team hitting percentage, which was good for fourth in the conference.
She concluded the season with a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team.
For the fifth consecutive season, the Roadrunners found themselves picked in the top three since joining the conference in 2013. Reigning conference champion Western Kentucky was picked to finish first while Rice was tabbed second. Southern Miss followed UTSA at fourth, Marshall at fifth and North Texas at sixth. Florida Atlantic (7), UTEP (8), Middle Tennessee (9) and FIU (10) rounded out the top-10, trailed by UAB (11), La Tech (12) and Charlotte (13).
Last year saw UTSA claim its seventh straight season of at least 20 wins, including victories over SMU, Oklahoma, Texas State and Texas Tech.
The Roadrunners open the 2017 campaign on August 25 against Coastal Carolina and TCU at the Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Texas. Fans can catch an early glimpse of the 16-member squad at the team's annual Alumni Match, set for Saturday, August 19, at 5 p.m.
To inquire about season tickets, call (210) 458-UTSA (8872).
2017 Conference USA Volleyball Preseason Team
Alyssa Cavanaugh, WKU, Sr., OH
Jessica Lucas, WKU, Sr., S
Rachel Anderson, WKU, Jr., MH
Catherine Repsher, Southern Miss, So., OH
Sarah Bell, Southern Miss, Jr., S
Amanda Chamberlain, North Texas, Sr., MB
Holly Milam, North Texas, Sr., MB
Madison McDaniel, Rice, Sr., S
Portia Okafor, Rice, Sr., MB
Madison Hill, Marshall, So., MB
Jac'cara Walker, Marshall, So., OH
Abbi Reid, Florida Atlantic, Jr., RS
Marijeta Runjic, UTSA, Sr., OH
2017 Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year
Alyssa Cavanaugh, WKU, Sr., OH
2017 Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. WKU
2. Rice
3. UTSA
4. Southern Miss
5. Marshall
6. North Texas
7. Florida Atlantic
8. UTEP
9. Middle Tennessee
10. FIU
11. UAB
12. LA Tech
13. Charlotte
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