MacTavish, Morton Tabbed Preseason All-BIG EAST
8/14/2009 4:44:53 PM | Volleyball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Orange senior captains Kacie MacTavish and Sarah Morton have been selected to the 2009 All-BIG EAST Preseason Volleyball Team the conference announced on Friday, Aug. 14. The duo was elected to the 12-player team in a vote by the conferences 15 head coaches. Syracuse was one of four schools to have multiple players selected for the honor.
MacTavish and Morton propelled Syracuse to a 17-15 record in 2008, including an 8-6 mark in conference play as the Orange earned its second straight BIG EAST championship berth. Both also earned All-BIG EAST recognition following the season with Morton named to the first team and MacTavish a second-team selection.
Morton led the 2008 Orange with 346 kills, a .374 attack percentage and 160 total blocks while MacTavish ranked second with 276 kills while also contributing 258 digs and 61 blocks.
The Orange was picked to finish ninth in the 2009 regular-season standings with 103 points while defending BIG EAST champion Louisville (186 points) was tabbed the early-season favorite for the second time. Notre Dame (178), Cincinnati (178), USF (151) and St. John's (144) complete the top five.
Syracuse opens its 2009 campaign on Friday, August 28 welcoming New Hampshire to Manley Field House at 7 p.m. as part of the weekend-long Big Orange Tournament.
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Marcela Gurgel, USF, Sr., OH
All-BIG EAST Preseason Team
*Lecia Brown, Louisville, Sr., MB
Meagan Dooley, Pittsburgh, Sr., MH
Annie Fesl, Cincinnati, Jr., S
*Marcela Gurgel, USF, Sr., OH
Christina Kaelin, Notre Dame, Sr., OH
*Justine Landi, Louisville, Sr., OPP
Kacie MacTavish, Syracuse, Sr., OH
Allie Matters, Seton Hall, Sr., OH
Chauntay Mickens, Connecticut, Sr., OH
Sarah Morton, Syracuse, Sr., MB
*Stephanie Niemer, Cincinnati, Jr., OH
Kellie Sciacca, Notre Dame, Jr., MB
* unanimous selection
