DENVER The Western Athletic Conference volleyball coaches today announced their 2004 preseason all-conference team. Fresno State senior Kristen Fenton earned preseason WAC Player of the Year honors.
Fresno State led all schools with four selections. Hawaii, picked to finish first in the WAC in 2004, placed three athletes on the 12-player team. Five of the 10 WAC schools placed at least one player on the preseason team with Nevada and Rice both placing two on the team. Boise States Cameron Flunder was the lone Bronco to earn preseason all-WAC honors.
Fenton, a senior outside hitter, was one of three players from last years preseason team to earn honors this season. Fenton was the first player not from Hawaii to earn preseason player of the year honors. Nevada junior Salaia Salave`a and Rice senior Rebeca Pazo were both first-team all-WAC and preseason all-WAC selections last season. Fenton, who averaged 5.21 kpg and 2.67dpg, was an honorable mention All-America in 2003. Tiffany Bishop, Robyn Keune and Tuli Peters join Fenton as the four Bulldogs earning preseason honors.
Hawaii setter Kanoe Kamana`o, AVCA National Freshman of the Year, was the other first-team all-WAC selection to earn preseason all-WAC honors. Two other Rainbow Wahine earned honors, Washington State transfer Victoria Prince and sophomore Alicia Arnott.
The 2004 volleyball season begins Wednesday, Sept. 1 with five of the 10 WAC schools in action.
2004 WAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON AWARD WINNERS
Name School Yr.
Tristin Adams Nevada So.
Alicia Arnott Hawaii So.
Tiffany Bishop Fresno State Sr.
Kristen Fenton Fresno State Sr.
Cameron Flunder Boise State So.
Kanoe Kamana`o Hawaii So.
Rebecca Kainz Rice Sr.
Robyn Keune Fresno State Jr.
Rebeca Pazo Rice Sr.
Tuli Peters Fresno State So.
Victoria Prince Hawaii Jr.
Salaia Salave`a Nevada Jr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Kristen Fenton, Fresno State