DALLAS - Conference USA unveiled its 2024 All-Conference Preseason Volleyball Awards on Thursday, with NM State predicted to finish second in a poll conducted by each of the league's 10 head coaches. In the same poll, the Aggies took four of the 13 spots on the All-CUSA Preseason Team, more than any other team. Yasso Amin, Darian Markham, Mari Sharp and Ryleigh Whitekettle all picked up league hardware ahead of the Fall 2024 season.
The Aggies earned two first-place votes from Conference USA head coaches, tallying 72 of the maximum 81 points. Last season, NM State went 21-10, ripping off an eight-match win streak that secured the league's No. 2 seed and advanced the Aggies to the CUSA Championship Game. WKU was predicted to repeat as regular-season champions for the sixth straight season, with eight first-place votes. UTEP finished third in the poll after a 25-win campaign and a trip to the NIVC Championship Game.
Newcomer Yasso Amin was joined by returners Darian Markham, Mari Sharp and Ryleigh Whitekettle as the four Aggies on the 13-member All-CUSA Preseason Team. In 2023, the foursome produced 839 kills, 861 digs, 192 blocks and 100 aces. The quartet all earned CUSA Postseason honors in 2023, including Amin on the league's First Team after a stellar campaign with FIU. Darian Markham was named 2023 CUSA Libero of the Year, while Whitekettle followed up her First-Team campaign with a remarkable postseason that earned her a spot on CUSA's All-Tournament Team.
Markham picks up her first preseason-team recognition of her five-year career spanning both the WAC and Conference USA. Sharp and Whitekettle were each named to last season's All-CUSA Preseason Team, along with teammate Starr Williams.
The quartet will lead the Aggies into action on Sunday, Aug. 25, when NM State hosts Western NM in an exhibition match. The contest between the Aggies and Mustangs will begin at 2 p.m. MT from the Pan American Center.
Head Coaches' Poll - Predicted Order of Finish (First-Place Votes)
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Western Kentucky (8) - 80
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NM State (2) - 72
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UTEP - 66
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Liberty - 50
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Middle Tennessee - 48
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FIU - 40
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Kennesaw State - 39
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Jax State - 28
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LA Tech - 15
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Sam Houston - 12
2024 CUSA Volleyball Preseason Team
Manu Johnsen (OH), Kennesaw State
Kamryn Bacus (OH), Liberty
Madison Blane (MB), Liberty
Adri Rhoda (OH), MTSU
Yasso Amin (OH), NM State
Mari Sharp (OH/OPP), NM State
Darian Markham (L), NM State
Ryleigh Whitekettle (OPP), NM State
Danika Washington (MB), UTEP
Kaya Weaver (MB), UTEP
Callie Bauer (S), WKU
Kaylee Cox (OH), WKU*
Kenadee Coyle (OPP), WKU
* - 2024 Conference USA Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year
Head Coach Mike Jordan, on the CUSA Volleyball Preseason Poll: " All I know for sure is that there are some good teams in this conference. This could be a multi-bid conference and we have enough physical ability to win it. What this team needs is more discipline and better execution. That takes effort and commitment. It's not what you're physically capable of that matters most, its what you're willing to do everyday. Time will tell."
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