July 30, 2002

CLEVELAND - For the fifth time since the Mid-American Conference went to division six years ago in 1997, Miami University's volleyball team was picked to win the East Division in the preseason coaches' poll. The RedHawks earned seven of 13 possible first-place votes and 70 total points. Akron followed with four first-place votes and 61 points, while Ohio and Kent State each received one first-place vote. Ohio was predicted to finish third, and the Golden Flashes were tabbed fourth. Marshall and Buffalo round out the East Division, respectively.

Eastern Michigan edged Ball State in the voting to take the West Division and tournament titles.

Miami returns four starters and eight letterwinners from last year's squad, which went 15-12 overall and 11-7 in the MAC and advanced to the semifinal round of the league tournament. Highlighting the list of returners are senior all-MAC selections outside hitter Kelly McCullough (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and middle hitter Jennifer Eaton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy). McCullough is a two-time all-league selection, earning first-team distinction last year, while Eaton garnered second-team all-MAC accolades and was named to the MAC all-Tournament Team in 2001.

The tandem teamed up to create the MAC's most dominant blocking duo and helped Miami rank 29th nationally in blocks. Eaton, who led the league in blocks (1.52 per game), finished the season ranked 13th nationally in blocks and established a Miami single-season standard for block assists (128). She tied the most triple doubles produced during the 2001 season, achieving the feat four times. She also recorded the first back-to-back triple-doubles on record for the Miami University volleyball program and became the first in the program's history to produce four triple-doubles in the same season and in a career.

Also returning is senior outside hitter Erika Eagan (Bloomington, Ill/Tri-Valley), who captured Miami's single-season record for digs per game (3.98) and finished the season ranked 22nd nationally.

Miami opens its season hosting IPFW, Washington and Delaware in the Miami Best Western/Sycamore Inn Classic August 30-31. Head coach Carolyn Condit, who coaches her 750th career game in Miami's season opener against IPFW, has not shied away from adding several strong opponents to her non-conference slate in preparation for Mid-American Conference play. Six of Miami's 12 non-conference opponents advanced to the 2001 NCAA Tournament: Louisville, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Cincinnati, San Jose State and Florida A&M. Four of those six reached the second round, while Ohio State went on to the regional.

East Division
1. Miami (7)	         70
2. Akron (4)	         61
3. Ohio (1)	         51
4. Kent State (1)	 49
5. Marshall	         26
6. Buffalo	         16

West Division
1. Eastern Michiga(4)	 77
2. Ball State (3)	 69
3. Western Michigan (2)	 68
4. Northern Illinois (4) 60
5. Bowling Green	 42
6. Toledo	         34
7. Central Michigan	 14

MAC Tournament Winner
Eastern Michigan (5)
Ball State (2)
Akron (1)
Kent State (1)
Northern Illinois (1)
Toledo (1)