Three Broncos named Preseason All-MW, Boise State picked second in poll

Three Broncos named Preseason All-MW, Boise State picked second in poll

8/18/2021 1:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - With 10 days until volleyball's season opener (Aug. 27), Boise State has placed three Broncos on the Preseason All-Mountain West Team in Jessica Donahue, Lauren Ohlinger and Danielle Boss. In addition, Boise State has been picked to place second in the coaches poll behind defending champion UNLV and just ahead of Colorado State.

In the preseason coaches poll, UNLV received 98 points with eight first-place votes, followed closely by the Broncos with 90 points and two first-place votes. Colorado State was picked to place third with 80 points and one first-place vote, while Wyoming came in fourth (69), Fresno State was fifth (61), San Diego State (53), Air Force (46), San Jose State (41), Utah State (29), New Mexico (26) and Nevada (12).

Ohlinger's selection to the Preseason All-MW Team marks the second-consecutive season that she has received the honor, while it is the first time on the team for both Donahue and Boss. Boise State dominated the preseason team with its three selections.

The Broncos placed second last season (spring 2021) going 10-5 in conference and overall. Boise State returns five starters and the libero, as well as 11 letterwinners from the 2020-21 campaign. Returning veterans include all three of the Broncos' 2021 preseason honorees Ohlinger, Donahue and Boss, in addition to Alyssa Wissinger, Annie Kaminski, Shae Duffy, Kayly Pau, Allison Casillas, Chey Jones, Ashley Hayden and Jolei Akima.

In addition, the 11 veterans welcomed three transfers and three freshmen to the team when the Broncos reported for preseason training camp. Among the newcomers are two native Idahoans in graduate transfer Alli O'Harra (Boise, Centennial HS) from Pepperdine, as well as sophomore Makayla (Tolman) Hansen (Burley, Burley HS) transferring from BYU. The third transfer is Sam Beschell (Solana Beach, Calif.) who attended San Diego Mesa College as a freshman last season. The three true freshmen include: Paige Bartsch (Helena, Mont., Capital HS), Jordan Miller (Goodyear, Ariz., Millennium HS) and Vangie Camarena (Hawthorne, Calif., Mater Dei HS).

The first time for fans to catch the Broncos in action will be during the season opening Boise State Invitational Aug. 27-28. Boise State opens with Dixie State out of the Western Athletic Conference, followed by matches versus Long Beach State and Montana State. Go to the schedule page on BroncoSports.com to see the entire slate for 2021.

Once again Boise State will be offering the Bronco Sports Pass this year for $75, which will grant admission to all home regular season events during the 2021-22 season for: women's basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball, volleyball and track & field. Note: The Bronco Sports Pass does not include any conference tournaments or postseason national tournaments hosted by Boise State.

In addition, for the first time Boise State will be selling match tickets in advance for all volleyball home contests in 2021.

Prices for admission to individual volleyball matches during the season remain the same for 2021: $6 for adults, $4 for juniors (high school age and younger) and seniors 62 or older. Boise State students with valid ID cards and children two and under get in for free.

Fans can purchase the Bronco Sports Pass or individual match tickets at the Boise State Ticket Office on the west side of Albertsons Stadium or via the internet at the links listed below:

Bronco Sports Pass: https://am.ticketmaster.com/boisestateathl/broncosportspass
Individual Match Tickets: https://am.ticketmaster.com/boisestateathl/volleyball

2021 PRESEASON POLL:
1. UNLV 98 (8)
2. Boise State 90 (2)
3. Colorado State            80 (1)
4. Wyoming 69
5. Fresno State   61
6. San Diego State          53
7. Air Force                      46
8. San José State           41
9. Utah State                    29
10. New Mexico               26
11. Nevada                      12

2021 All-MW PRESEASON TEAM
Danielle Boss, Sr., S, Boise State
Jessica Donahue, Sr., MB, Boise State
Lauren Ohlinger, Jr., OH, Boise State
Alexa Roumeliotis, Sr., L, Colorado State
Desiree Sukhov, Sr., OH, Fresno State
Mariena Hayden, Sr., OH, UNLV
Jackie McBride, Sr., MB, Wyoming

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mariena Hayden, Sr., OH, UNLV