After placing three student-athletes on postseason all-conference squads last season, Morehead State volleyball once again has three student-athletes up for honors as redshirt junior setter Chandler Clark and junior outside hitters Olivia Lohmeier and Lauren Rokey have been named Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference.
"It is exciting that Liv, Lauren, and Chandler have been honored with preseason recognition," said head coach Jaime Gordon. "They will be the first to point out that this is a result of the commitment and hard work that all of their teammates have made to become the best team they can be."
Three preseason all-league selections give the Eagles the most in the OVC heading into the new season but also marks the most selections for the program since placing three on the Preseason All-OVC list in 2014. Also, Rokey's second selection in as many seasons makes her the 13th player in program history to be honored as preseason all-conference since 2001.
Clark, a Seymour, Ind. native, was selected Second Team All-OVC last season after directing a Morehead State offense that compiled a .217 hitting percentage and slammed home 1,497 kills (13.25 per set). As the Eagles' primary setter, Clark dished out 1,221 assists, ranking third in the OVC in total assists while her 10.81 assists per set ranked second in the league. Complimenting her assist total, she also added 277 digs, 70 kills, 36 total blocks, and 22 service aces last season.
Becoming the first setter to reach 1,000 assists in a season and 10 or more assists per set since 2013 and 2012, respectively, Clark enters the 2019 campaign ranking 11th in program history in assists. She enters 2019 with 1,758 assists, needing just 207 to enter the program's top-10.
A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Lohmeier enters the 2019 season as the OVC's reigning Player of the Year. Earning First Team All-OVC honors in addition to her acknowledgement as conference Player of the Year, she tallied 413 kills (3.69 per set) while connecting with a .264 hitting percentage. She also chipped in 125 digs, 59 total blocks, and 25 service aces last season.
As the fifth Eagle and first since 2012 to claim the OVC's top individual accolade, Lohmeier also became the first Eagles since 2016 to record 400 or more kills in a season. She accomplished the feat thanks to 23 games that saw her eclipse double-digit terminations, including a career-best 21 kills at Toledo last August. Lohmeier also concluded the season with 12 straight matches in which she reached double-figure kills.
Eureka, Ill. native Rokey becomes the first Eagle since Laura McDermott (2012 and 2014) to twice garner OVC Preseason All-Conference Accolades and the first player since Aryn Bohannon (2012 and 2013) to garner the honor in back-to-back seasons. Last season, she slammed home 300-plus kills for the second consecutive season, accumulating 308 terminations (2.77 per set).
Rokey also chipped in 81 digs, 51 total blocks, five assists, and four service aces last season. She registered a season-high 16 kills against SIUE while also recording double-figure kills in 14 matches.
As a team, Morehead State was picked third in the OVC's Predicted Order of Finish as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles garnered five first-place votes while accumulating 207 points in the poll. The placement marks the highest predicted order of finish for the program since being predicted to repeat as champions in 2014.
"This is a very talented season for the OVC, and for us to be considered one of the top teams is quite an honor. This group of women is committed to each other and embrace their opportunity to represent Morehead State this season. Hopefully, with a lot of hard work and a little luck, we will have a chance of being in the mix come November," remarked Gordon.
The Eagles open the 2019 season with a final tune-up on Aug. 24 when they welcome Bellarmine to Johnson Arena for the team's lone exhibition match. Admission is free with first serve set for 2 p.m. ET.
Morehead State opens the regular season on Aug. 30, traveling south to Rock Hill, S.C. to compete in the Cristi Curtis Volleyball Invitational hosted by Winthrop. During the two-day event, the Eagles will face host Winthrop, North Carolina A&T, and Davidson. Morehead State's home opener is set for Sep. 6 as the Eagles host the Eagle Challenge, welcoming in Georgia State, Presbyterian, and Providence.
Fans can purchase Morehead State volleyball season and single-game tickets by calling (606)-783-2386 or by visiting MSUEagles.com.
