Aug. 13, 2003

RICHARDSON, Texas - Coming off the heels of their best season since 1989, the Hardin-Simmons Volleyball team has been selected third in the American Southwest Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Cowgirls went 18-12 a year ago and head coach Krystal Brodbeck was named the ASC West Division Coach of the Year.

Kasey Ridings, a senior setter from Victoria, was tabbed as the preseason co-setter of the year. She is one of three returning starters for the Cowgirls, along with juniors Kerra LeBlanc and Maggie Barnhill.

McMurry was picked to win the division followed by Texas Lutheran, HSU, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Sul Ross State, Concordia-Austin, Schreiner and Howard Payne.

Defending conference champion East Texas Baptist was picked to win the East Division.

ASC West Division Preseason Players of the Year: Hitter: Lyndsay Llewellyn, McMurry Setter (co): Abbey Hester, McMurry; Kasey Ridings, Hardin-Simmons Defensive Specialist (co): Danielle Bolin, McMurry; Jennifer Vasquez, Concordia-Austin

ASC East Division Preseason Players of the Year: Hitter (co): Carol Nwelue, Austin College; Arden Tunnell, East Texas Baptist Setter: Allison Castillo, East Texas Baptist Defensive Specialist: Robin Cook, East Texas Baptist