VIDEO: Rachel Harper Interview

VIDEO: Kristen Pickett Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was named to the preseason first team All-South Atlantic Conference team and senior setter Kristen Pickett was slotted on the second team. 

Harper was listed on the second team postseason roster after her junior season. The former standout at Boyd Buchanan High School finished third in the SAC in points (441) and fourth in kills per set (3.59), kills (381) and service aces (36). Her 3.59 kills per set was the fifth highest total in Carson-Newman program history. 

She is in the top ten in multiple categories in school history. Her 2.67 kills per set puts her seventh on the all-time list while her 845 career kills has her in a tie for ninth. 

"I just hope that it makes everyone better," Harper said of the accolade. "We are trying to hold ourselves to a higher standard this season. I hope that if I play at the top of my game everyone else will play at the top of theirs." 

Pickett had one of the finest seasons an Eagle setter has ever had. The honorable mention All-SAC performer from last season finished third in the SAC with 1,033 assists and 9.48 assists per set. 

The name Kristen Pickett can be seen several time on the program's all-time records list. She holds two places inside the top ten for assists per set, seventh in 2013 with 9.48 and tenth in 2012 with 8.88. Pickett enters the season second all-time for career assists with 2,641 where she will solidify that spot as the Eagle record-holder of 5,171 set by Kari Gibson from 2003-06. 

"It's a big honor to be named that, but in the end it's not really what we are looking for," Pickett said of her expectations. "I really just want my team to be successful this year and hopefully. In the end, we want our team to get better." 

This campaign is the first time since 2011 that two Eagles were on a preseason All-SAC team. Nikki James was on the first team and Carly Swisher began the year on the second team. 

2014 Volleyball Preseason All-Conference 

First Team

Alison Cooke, Wingate

Haley Rhyne, Lenior-Rhyne

Lexi Potter, Wingate

Shannon Gillespie, Anderson

Hailey Pittman, Anderson

Susie Murach, Wingate

Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman

Casie Mense, Lincoln Memorial 

Second Team

Briana Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne

Megan Hasse, Tusculum

Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman

Alix Hooker, Anderson

Cory McGowan, Wingate

Mary Kate Griffen, Mars Hill

Stephanie Tassone, Wingate

(Tie) Logan Hayward, Newberry

(Tie) Elizabeth Bialkowski, Queens

- CN -