Temple University Athletics
2023 AAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll Released
8.21.23 | Women's Volleyball
IRVING, Texas – On Monday, the Temple volleyball team was picked to finish in a tie for third place in the American Athletic Conference's (AAC) East Division preseason poll, as voted on by league's coaches.
Temple is led by second-year head coach Linda Hampton Keith. Her squad features 11 returners, including senior Taylor Davenport, Jelena Prolic, Falanika Danielson, and Patrycja Zielinska
Going into the season, Davenport looks to become the 22nd player in school history with with 1000-career kills. The veteran outside hitter ended last season with 703 career kills as she became a major force on the offensive side for the Owls. Last season, Davenport ranked fifth in the AAC and led the team with 451 kills while becoming the first Temple player since the 2015 season to record 400-plus putaways for a season. Joining Davenport fellow outside Jelena Prolic. New to the Cherry and White a season ago, Prolic stepped in and became offensive presence with 320 kills, which ranked her second on the team . Libero Falanika Danielson returns for her senior season for the Cherry and White and looks to move up on the Owls' all-time digs list. Just last season, the backrow specialist became the 20th player in program history to record 1000-career digs as she recorded a team-high 434 digs. Additionally, setter Patrycja Zielinska returns to the Owls for her third season after ranking fourth in AAC matches with .35 aces/set and first on the team with 795 assists.
Temple added eight new players in the off-season, including transfers Olivia Vance and Avery Luoma, and first-year players, Brooklyn Stearns, Abby Jhun, Ava Blascziek, Lexi Yoza, Sofia Hardy, and Olivia Hummel.
Temple will kick off the season on Friday as they host the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing Cherry and White Challenge in McGonigle Hall. The Owls will take on Iona at noon on Friday, then they host LIU at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and then will close out the weekend against Lehigh on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free to all fans for home matches and matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
American Championship
SMU (7)
Rice (6)
Preseason Player of the Year
Jamison Wheeler, Jr., OH, SMU
Brylee Kelly, R-Sr., OH, Wichita State
Preseason All-Conference Team
Angeles Alderete, So., OH, East Carolina
Bailey Houlihan, Sr., L, Memphis
Sh'Diamond Holly, Sr., MB, North Texas
Aryn Johnson, Jr., OH, North Texas
Treyaunna Rush, Sr., OPP, North Texas
Nia McCardell, Sr., L/DS, Rice
Danyle Courtley, Sr., OH, Rice
Sahara Maruska, Sr., OH, Rice
Emilia Weske, Gr., RS, Rice
Emma Clothier, Gr., MB, SMU
Celia Cullen, Sr., S, SMU
Jamison Wheeler, Jr., OH, SMU*
Kayley, Cassaday, 5th, OH, Tulsa
Natalie Foster, Jr., MB/RS, Wichita State
Brylee Kelly, R-Sr., OH, Wichita State*
* denotes unanimous selection
Temple is led by second-year head coach Linda Hampton Keith. Her squad features 11 returners, including senior Taylor Davenport, Jelena Prolic, Falanika Danielson, and Patrycja Zielinska
Going into the season, Davenport looks to become the 22nd player in school history with with 1000-career kills. The veteran outside hitter ended last season with 703 career kills as she became a major force on the offensive side for the Owls. Last season, Davenport ranked fifth in the AAC and led the team with 451 kills while becoming the first Temple player since the 2015 season to record 400-plus putaways for a season. Joining Davenport fellow outside Jelena Prolic. New to the Cherry and White a season ago, Prolic stepped in and became offensive presence with 320 kills, which ranked her second on the team . Libero Falanika Danielson returns for her senior season for the Cherry and White and looks to move up on the Owls' all-time digs list. Just last season, the backrow specialist became the 20th player in program history to record 1000-career digs as she recorded a team-high 434 digs. Additionally, setter Patrycja Zielinska returns to the Owls for her third season after ranking fourth in AAC matches with .35 aces/set and first on the team with 795 assists.
Temple added eight new players in the off-season, including transfers Olivia Vance and Avery Luoma, and first-year players, Brooklyn Stearns, Abby Jhun, Ava Blascziek, Lexi Yoza, Sofia Hardy, and Olivia Hummel.
Temple will kick off the season on Friday as they host the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing Cherry and White Challenge in McGonigle Hall. The Owls will take on Iona at noon on Friday, then they host LIU at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and then will close out the weekend against Lehigh on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free to all fans for home matches and matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
American Championship
SMU (7)
Rice (6)
| West Division | Points |
| 1. SMU (7) | 78 |
| 2. Rice (6) | 76 |
| 3. Wichita State | 59 |
| 4. North Texas | 52 |
| 5. Tulsa | 30 |
| 6. Tulane | 24 |
| 7. UTSA | 21 |
| East Division | Points |
| 1. Memphis (7) | 72 |
| 2. East Carolina (5) | 70 |
| 3. Florida Atlantic (1) | 48 |
| Temple | 48 |
| 5. South Florida (1) | 37 |
| 6. UAB | 35 |
| 7. Charlotte | 33 |
| (#) denotes first place votes | |
Preseason Player of the Year
Jamison Wheeler, Jr., OH, SMU
Brylee Kelly, R-Sr., OH, Wichita State
Preseason All-Conference Team
Angeles Alderete, So., OH, East Carolina
Bailey Houlihan, Sr., L, Memphis
Sh'Diamond Holly, Sr., MB, North Texas
Aryn Johnson, Jr., OH, North Texas
Treyaunna Rush, Sr., OPP, North Texas
Nia McCardell, Sr., L/DS, Rice
Danyle Courtley, Sr., OH, Rice
Sahara Maruska, Sr., OH, Rice
Emilia Weske, Gr., RS, Rice
Emma Clothier, Gr., MB, SMU
Celia Cullen, Sr., S, SMU
Jamison Wheeler, Jr., OH, SMU*
Kayley, Cassaday, 5th, OH, Tulsa
Natalie Foster, Jr., MB/RS, Wichita State
Brylee Kelly, R-Sr., OH, Wichita State*
* denotes unanimous selection
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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