Aug. 14, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior Stephanie Lynch was listed among the best volleyball players in the Big Ten for the third straight season on Thursday, as the league announced its Preseason All-Conference team.

The 6-3 middle hitter was one of 12 players named to the preseason list as voted on by the league's coaches. The honor is just the latest for Lynch, who garnered honorable mention all-America, first team all-region and first team all-Big Ten accolades in 2006 and 2007. The New Albany, Ind., native boasted a team-leading .318 hitting percentage to go with a team-best 1.38 blocks per game and 3.53 kills per game. Lynch led the Boilermakers in kills 12 times and in blocks on 23 occasions. She ranked fifth in the Big Ten and 42nd nationally in blocks per gamem while also ranking among the conference's best in hitting percentage (8th) and points per game (10th with 4.45). The middle hitter registered a hitting percentage of .300 or better 17 times, a percentage of .400 or better 11 times and a hitting percentage above .500 six times.

Lynch ranks second all-time on Purdue's career list with 1.30 blocks per game and among the career top five in solo blocks (5th with 88), block assists (3rd with 376) and total blocks (4th with 464). She also is just six block assists away from the school record mark of 382.

In addition to showing respect for Lynch individually, the league's coaches have high expectations for the Boilermakers this season. Purdue was tabbed to finish fourth in the conference race in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. The Big Ten coaches chose defending national champion Penn State, which has won the conference title the past five seasons, to repeat at Big Ten Champions.

The Boilermakers begin their 2008 campaign at home August 29-30 when they play host to Duke, Kansas State and Tennessee State, all 2007 NCAA Tournament competitors, at the annual Mortar Board Premier.

2008 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Penn State
2. Minnesota
3. Wisconsin
4. Purdue
5. Illinois
6. Michigan
7. Northwestern
8. Michigan State
9. Ohio State
10. Indiana
11. Iowa 2008

PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Name (School, Yr., Position)
Laura DeBruler (Illinois, So., OH)
Lexi Zimmerman (Michigan, So., S)
Brook Dieter (Minnesota, So., OH)
Lauren Gibbemeyer (Minnesota, So., MH)
Nicole Fawcett (3) (Penn State, Sr., OH)
Alisha Glass (Penn State, Jr., S)
Christa Harmotto (3) (Penn State, Sr., MH)
Megan Hodge (2) (Penn State, Jr., OH)
Arielle Wilson (Penn State, So., MH)
Stephanie Lynch (3) (Purdue, Sr., MH)
Brittney Dolgner (2) (Wisconsin, Jr., OH)
Audra Jeffers (2) (Wisconsin, Sr., MH/OH)

Unanimous Selection In Italics 
(3) Three-time selection
(2) Two-time selection