The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces the 2022 All-CIAA preseason volleyball team, as voted on by the CIAA Volleyball Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association, and the predicted order of finish as selected by the head coaches.
The 2022 preseason team features 11 returning All-CIAA selections from 2021, including eight first-team honorees, led by reigning Offensive Player of the Year Mallory Brown and Setter of the Year of Breelyn Clark, both from Shaw University. Jada Rouse, the Rookie of the Year in 2021 from Elizabeth City State University, also headlines the list.
A native of Colorado Springs, CO, Brown led the CIAA at 3.32 kills per set (216 total kills), finished second in the conference at 3.83 points per set (249 total points), and ranked top 10 with a .220 hitting percentage during the regular season her junior year. In 16 conference matches, the outside hitter led the league with 3.90 kills and 4.47 points per set while helping Shaw finish with a 15-1 conference record.
Clark, a native of Garner, NC, totaled 664 assists and led the conference with 9.35 assists per set throughout the regular season. The setter also finished with a league-leading 527 assists and 9.94 assists per set during conference play in her sophomore season.
An outside hitter from Rock Hill, SC, Rouse led all CIAA freshmen with 295 kills and 351 points on the season while leading the conference with 51 total service aces. The standout averaged 3.31 points and 2.78 kills per set, ranking sixth and eighth in the CIAA respectively.
Shaw leads with four selections on the preseason team, returning 2021 first-teamers Kamille Patrick and Noelani Beard, in addition to Brown and Clark. Elizabeth City State has three selections, followed by Claflin's two.
Fayetteville State was picked to win the Southern Division title for the third time in as many seasons while Elizabeth City State was predicted to win the Northern Division. The Broncos were also predicted to finish atop the conference overall.
Last season, FSU finished with a 14-2 record in the CIAA (24-8 overall) and won a second straight CIAA championship, all under the guidance of Head Coach Dr. Reeshemah Johnson.
The Vikings, led by 2021 CIAA Coach of the Year David Brooks, finished last season tied for second in the Northern Division with a 13-3 conference record and an overall mark of 27-6.
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