Senior Rubena Sukaj and the 2008 Eagles were selected first in the PL Preseason Poll for the eighth-consecutive year
  
 
AU Ranked First in PL Volleyball Preseason Poll

The Eagles received 13 of 16 first place votes

2008 AU Volleyball Schedule
Patriot League Preseason Release

Aug. 26, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University volleyball team has been selected first in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, conference officials announced Tuesday. The Eagles received 13 of 16 first place votes.

"This is a great honor for our team," head coach Barry Goldberg said. "Each year the competition in the Patriot League gets better and we look forward to another challenging conference schedule. We have a great group of student-athletes returning to our team and have added some outstanding talent. We are excited to begin the season."

AU returns 12 letterwinners from last season's PL Regular Season and Tournament Championships squad. Key returnees include:

  • Senior outside hitter Rubena Sukaj, the two-time reigning PL Player of the Year, has 1,603 career kills needs just 115 to break the PL career record

  • 2007 PL Tournament MVP Christina Nash is also entering her senior campaign and currently ranks third all-time at AU in career assists (2,768)

  • Junior Ivana Cebakova was named the PL Co-Defensive Player of the Year in '07 and is AU's all-time leader in digs per game (3.78)

  • 2007 PL All-Tournament Team selections Cynammon Burns (1.99 digs per game) and Cassandra Ricketts (.312 pct.)
     

     

  • Two-time PL Academic Honor Roll selections Ann Recht (0.94 kills per game) and Claire Recht (1.20 blocks per game)

American has been chosen first in the PL's Preseason Poll in each of its eight seasons in the conference. The poll is voted on by the conference's eight head coaches and sports information directors. Coaches and SIDs may not vote for their own team.

The Eagles will open their season this Friday, Aug. 29, against George Washington at 5 p.m. at George Mason University as part of the D.C. Volleyball Classic. On Saturday, Aug. 30, AU will continue play in the D.C. Classic against Georgetown at 1 p.m. and George Mason at 5 p.m. at George Washington University.