Nusbaum named ASUN Preseason Player of the Year
Kirk Downs | Lipscomb Athletics |
The Lipscomb volleyball team was picked to finish third in the annual ASUN Conference preseason coaches poll that was announced on Monday.
In addition, Carlyle Nusbaum, the reigning two-time ASUN Player of the Year and AVCA All-South Region member, was named the league’s 2018 Preseason Player of the Year. It marks the fifth straight season that the Bisons have rostered the top preseason honor recipient.
The Overland Park, Kansas native finished fourth in Division I last season with 5.22 kills and 5.57 points per set, while her 522 total kills led the ASUN and ranked 17th nationally. Her kills per set number was the second-highest total in league history, trailing only FAU’s Kelly Paiva who registered 5.94 in 2005.
Nusbaum closed the season hitting .254, while also recording 279 digs and 15 double-doubles. She also upped her kills per set to 5.39 against ASUN opponents.
The senior outside hitter recorded a team-high in kills in 24 of 29 matches, including a career high 33 in a win over Oakland. She also owned seven of the top 10 kill performances in the ASUN.
Nusbaum added to her trophy case with three ASUN Player of the Week recognitions, giving her nine for her career. That is the most weekly honors by any volleyball player in conference history.
Nusbaum was one of just three unanimous choices on the 2018 Preseason All-ASUN squad. She was joined by FGCU’s Amanda Carroll and Kennesaw State’s Liesl Engelbrecht.
Florida Gulf Coast was tabbed the preseason favorite in the poll with 75 total points and six 1st-place votes. Defending champion Kennesaw State was picked second with 70 points and three 1st-place votes. Lipscomb was next with 66 votes.
FGCU’s Maggie Rick was selected as the Preseason Setter of the Year, and Stetson’s Hao Jin was voted the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Lipscomb is set to travel to the University of Tennessee on Saturday, August 18 for a 2 p.m. exhibition match before opening the regular season August 24 against SMU in the LUV Invite.
Preseason ASUN Coaches Poll - (First Place Votes)
1. FGCU (6) 75
2. Kennesaw State (3) 70
3. Lipscomb 66
4. North Florida 46
5. Liberty 45
6. Jacksonville 44
7. Stetson 22
8. North Alabama 20
9. NJIT 17