Martin Tabbed To 2018 Preseason American Athletic Conference Team

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sophomore setter Shelby Martin has been named to the 2018 Preseason American Athletic Conference Team, according to an announcement by the league Monday. Additionally, ECU was selected seventh of 12 teams in the preseason coaches poll while defending conference champion Wichita State was picked to defend its title.

Martin represents the second Pirate in program history to earn individual preseason honors and the first since Kelley Wernert garnered a spot on the 2007 Conference USA Preseason Team.

In her first collegiate season, Martin was recognized as the AAC Freshman of the Year after helping lead ECU to a 22-11 record and 13-7 mark in league play. She averaged 9.34 assists per set (1,084 total), ranking her sixth among AAC setters. She was also sixth in the league in assists per set (9.83) in conference matches.

Martin ran a Pirate offense that averaged 12.94 kills per set and turned in a .231 hitting percentage. Martin also produced eight double-doubles during the season – all of which occurred during conference play. She fell just three kills shy of the first recorded triple-double in program history Sept. 29 against SMU, notching seven kills, 49 assists and 11 digs in the narrow five-set loss to the eventual second-place Mustangs.

The Purple and Gold produced its most wins a single season since 1982 last year as well as setting a new standard for conference victories. Moreover, it was the first winning campaign since the 2006 squad went 19-12.

ECU opens the 2018 season August 24-25 at the Southern Miss Classic when they face off against Florida A&M, Alcorn State and the host Golden Eagles.

2018 Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Wichita State – 113 Points (6)
2. Cincinnati – 108 Points (5)
3. Temple – 106 Points (1)
4. SMU – 94 Points
5. UCF – 74 Points
6. Tulsa – 70 Points
7. ECU – 68 Points
8. Houston – 44 Points
9. USF – 41 Points
10. Tulane – 33 Points
11. Connecticut – 29 Points
12. Memphis – 12 Points

Preseason Player of the Year
Jordan Thompson, Cincinnati

Preseason Team
Carly Nolan, Cincinnati*
Jordan Thompson, Cincinnati*
Shelby Martin, ECU
Brittany Adams, SMU
Kendall Patterson, SMU
Irem Asci, Temple*
Iva Deak, Temple*
Dana Westfield, Temple
Taylor Horsfall, Tulsa
Emily Thorson, Tulsa*
Tabitha Brown, Wichita State*
Giorgia Civita, Wichita State

[*] Denotes unanimous selection

Martin Tabbed To 2018 Preseason American Athletic Conference Team

Players Mentioned

Shelby Martin

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