PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rutgers volleyball team was picked to finish seventh in the 2003 BIG EAST Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, while senior Shayla Bush (Spokane, WA) earned a spot on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, the conference office has announced.

Bush, a 5-7 outside hitter, led Rutgers with 4.61 kills and 4.45 digs per game last season. A second-team all-BIG EAST selection as well as an honorable mention pick to the AVCA Division I All-Region Team in 2002, this marks the third consecutive season that Bush has been named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team (2001-2003). A member of the 2001 All-BIG EAST First Team and the 2000 BIG EAST All-Rookie Team, she enters her senior season ranked fourth in digs (1,008) and fifth in kills (1,102) on the RU career record lists.

The Scarlet Knights, who posted a 17-11 overall record and a 6-7 mark in the BIG EAST to tie for eighth place last season, received 78 points in the poll. Notre Dame, coming off its seventh conference title in the last eight years, received nine first-place votes and 141 points to finish as this year’s preseason favorite.

The Scarlet Knights, under the direction of 10th-year head coach Ann Leonard-House, will begin the 2003 season at the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, FL. Rutgers will play Florida and BYU on Aug. 29, followed by American on Aug. 30.

PRESEASON AWARDS

Player of the Year
Valeria Tipiana, Miami

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Mallorey James, Jr., S, Miami
Valeria Tipiana, Jr., OH, Miami
Lauren Kelbley, So., MB, Notre Dame
Emily Loomis, Jr., OPP, Notre Dame
Megan Miller, Jr., MH, Pittsburgh
Shayla Bush, Sr., OH, Rutgers