Aug. 3, 2005

WACO, Texas - Baylor junior Desiree Guilliard-Young (Berkeley, Calif.) was selected to the 13-member Preseason All-Big 12 Volleyball Team, while the Bears were picked to finish tied for seventh according to the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the league office announced Wednesday. Seven is a "magic number" in the conference as a nation-leading seven Big 12 teams made the NCAA Volleyball Tournament last season.

Guilliard-Young, a 6-foot-5 middle blocker, was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection after her sophomore campaign in which she attacked at a .300 clip, totaled 321 kills and 153 blocks. In only two seasons, Guilliard-Young has already moved into the top 10 all-time at Baylor with 292 total blocks.

Baylor has all 10 letterwinners returning this season, including all seven starters. Joining Guilliard-Young as returning starters are senior setter Emily Huston (Santa Rosa, Calif.), who ranks third on Baylor's all-time assists and service aces lists, senior right-side hitter Kelly Spriggs (Houston, Texas), senior middle blocker Stella Odion (Houston, Texas), junior outside hitter Nicole LeBlanc (Tampa, Fla.) and sophomore libero Kristen Schramek (San Antonio, Texas). Senior middle blocker Adeline Meira (Sao Paulo, Brazil) returns but could redshirt this season after another off-season knee surgery. Defensive specialists Maggie Chlebana (Calgary, Alberta), a senior, and Heather Marcus (Arlington, Texas), a sophomore, also return. Sophomore Amanda Modglin (Houston, Texas) will backup once again at setter and will be able to devote full-time to the position after seeing time at middle blocker last year. Redshirt freshman Krystle Everett (Crandall, Texas) will also provide more depth, something the Bears lacked in 2004, on the outside.

Baylor, under the direction of second-year head coach Jim Barnes, has also added four players, including 6-foot-5 senior middle blocker Melanie Hamerly (Orange, Texas), who was a four-year letterwinner as a member of the Lady Bears' national championship basketball team. Junior outside hitter Deja Sweeney (Sacramento, Calif.) transferred to Baylor in January and was able to go through all of the Bears' spring workouts. The Bears also added highly-touted freshman outside hitter Kelsey Smith (Lubbock, Texas) and freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Jenné Blackburn (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.).

The Bears, who were tied with Colorado in the poll, were picked behind national championship favorite Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M, Kansas and Kansas State. Nebraska's 6-foot-5 sophomore Sarah Pavan was tabbed Preseason Player of the Year, while Texas' Jennifer Todd was named Preseason Newcomer of the Year and Nebraska's Jordan Larson was named Preseason Freshman of the Year. Coaches were not allowed to pick their own team or players and 13 players were named to this year's Preseason All-Big 12 Team rather than the traditional 12 due to a tie in voting.

The Bears open the 2005 season Saturday, Aug. 27 on the road against Northwestern State and Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La. Fans can get their first look at this year's team at the Green & Gold Scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. at the Ferrell Center.

Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll
Rank   Team (First-place Votes)     Points
1.     Nebraska (10)                100
2.     Missouri                     88
3.     Texas                        77
4.     Texas A&M                    72
5.     Kansas                       68
6.     Kansas State                 56
T7.    Baylor                       43
T7.    Colorado                     43
9.     Oklahoma                     24
10.    Texas Tech                   21
11.    Iowa State                   13
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Player, School                     Cl.     Pos.
Melissa Elmer, Nebraska            Sr.     MB
Allie Griffin, Colorado            Sr.     RS
Desiree Guilliard-Young, Baylor    Jr.     MB
Lindsey Hunter, Missouri           Sr.     S
Laura Jones, Texas A&M             Sr.     OH
Josi Lima, Kansas                  Sr.     MB
Brandy Magee, Texas                Jr.     MB
Michelle Moriarty, Texas           So.     S
Ashley Nu'u, Colorado              Jr.     S
Sarah Pavan, Nebraska              So.     OH
Jennifer Saleaumua, Nebraska       Sr.     OH
Joanna Schmitt, Oklahoma           Jr.     OH
Jessica Vander Kooi, Missouri      Jr.     OH
Preseason Player of the Year:
Sarah Pavan, Nebraska              So.     OH
Presason Newcomer of the Year:
Jennifer Todd, Texas               Jr.     MB
Preseason Freshman of the Year:
Jordan Larson, Nebraska            Fr.     OH