CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – American senior outside hitter Aleksandra Kazala earned her second Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year nod as the American Eagles were picked as the favorite in the sport’s preseason poll to capture the Patriot League Volleyball title, when it was announced by the League office on Wednesday.
2018 Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year
Aleksandra Kazala, American, Sr., OH
Kazala appeared in 32 matches for the Eagles, tallying 537 kills and 348 digs in the 2017 season. The senior was named the 2017 Patriot League Volleyball Tournament MVP after her 18-kill performance in the final game against Navy. Kazala also garnered Patriot League Player of the Year accolades in both the preseason and postseason last year.
American Picked First in 2018 Patriot League Preseason Poll
The American Eagles nabbed first place in the 2018 preseason poll, with 118 points and 16 first-place votes. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks earned two first-place votes to go with 103 points for the second spot. With 100 points Navy took third, followed by Army West Point with 86 points and Colgate with 82 points for fifth place. Bucknell was picked to finish sixth with 59 points, followed by Loyola Maryland (37), Holy Cross (30) and Lafayette (23).
Voting for the preseason major awards, poll, and the all-League team was conducted by the Patriot League volleyball head coaches and volleyball sports information directors, who could not vote for their own players.
Volleyball Preseason All-Patriot League Team*
Kennedy Etheridge, American, Sr., S
Aleksandra Kazala, American, Sr., OH
Kristen Largay, American, Jr., L
Alli Lowe, Colgate, So., OH
Ana Spangenberg, Lehigh, Jr., OH
Patricia Mattingly, Navy, Sr., S
Katie Patrick, Navy, Sr., MH
Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year: Aleksandra Kazala, American, Sr., OH
Patriot League Volleyball Preseason Poll
American – 118 (16 first-place votes)
Lehigh – 103 (2 first-place votes)
Navy – 100
Army West Point – 86
Colgate – 82
Bucknell – 59
Loyola Maryland – 37
Holy Cross – 30
Lafayette - 23
*Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its third decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.