University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Anna Dodson was named to the Big Ten Preseason All-Conference Team.
Photo by: Jesus Ramirez
UCLA Picked Eighth in Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll
August 01, 2024 | Women's Volleyball
ROSEMONT, Ill. โ The UCLA women's volleyball team was picked to finish eighth out of 18 teams in the 2024 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll, it was announced by the conference office Thursday morning.
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Additionally, graduate Anna Dodson was one of three middle blockers to be named to the 18-member Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team.
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Reigning Big Ten champion and NCAA runner-up Nebraska was picked as the conference favorite followed by Wisconsin and Penn State. The Huskers finished last season with a 33-2 record and 19-1 mark in Big Ten play.
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UCLA enters its second season under head coach Alfee Reft. In 2023, Reft led the Bruins to an 18-12 overall record and 10-10 mark in Pac-12 matches. UCLA finished sixth in the conference standings and was among one of the first eight teams to not be selected for the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins' season was highlighted by three victories over top-25 opponents, including two on the road in the final three weeks of the season versus No. 9 Washington State and No. 24 USC. UCLA finished with a 7-3 record in its final 10 conference contests.
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Dodson received the first AVCA All-American recognition of her career in 2023, being named honorable mention. The Bruins' star middle blocker was also named to the All-Pac-12 Team for the third time in her career. Dodson recorded 322.0 points (3.04 PPS) off 233 kills and 131 blocks (1.24 BPS). She led UCLA and ranked fifth in the Pac-12 with a .364 hitting percentage.
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Single-match tickets for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season will go on sale Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. (PT) at this link HERE. UCLA's home opener in Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom features a Big Ten Conference matchup versus Ohio State on Sunday, Sept. 29.
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2024 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Nebraska
2. Wisconsin
3. Penn State
4. Purdue
5. Minnesota
6. Oregon
7. USC
8. UCLA
9. Ohio State
10. Indiana
11. Illinois
12. Michigan State
13. Washington
14. Maryland
15. Michigan
16. Northwestern
17. Rutgers
18. Iowa
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2024 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Raina Terry, Gr., OH, Illinois
Camryn Haworth, Sr., S, Indiana
Melani Shaffmaster, RS-Sr., S, Minnesota
MERRITT BEASON, Sr., OPP, Nebraska
Taylor Landfair, Sr., OH, Nebraska
Harper Murray, So., OH, Nebraska
Bergen Reilly, So., S, Nebraska
LEXI RODRIGUEZ, Sr., L, Nebraska
Emily Londot, Fifth-Year, OH/OPP, Ohio State
Mimi Colyer, Jr., OH, Oregon
JESS MRUZIK, Gr., OH, Penn State
Chloe Chicoine, So., OH, Purdue
Eva Hudson, Jr., OH, Purdue
Anna Dodson, Gr., MB, UCLA
Mia Tuaniga, Sr., S, USC
Carter Booth, Jr., MB, Wisconsin
Sarah Franklin, Sr., OH, Wisconsin
Anna Smrek, Sr., MB/OPP, Wisconsin
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ALL CAPS indicates unanimous selection.
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Additionally, graduate Anna Dodson was one of three middle blockers to be named to the 18-member Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team.
ย
Reigning Big Ten champion and NCAA runner-up Nebraska was picked as the conference favorite followed by Wisconsin and Penn State. The Huskers finished last season with a 33-2 record and 19-1 mark in Big Ten play.
ย
UCLA enters its second season under head coach Alfee Reft. In 2023, Reft led the Bruins to an 18-12 overall record and 10-10 mark in Pac-12 matches. UCLA finished sixth in the conference standings and was among one of the first eight teams to not be selected for the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins' season was highlighted by three victories over top-25 opponents, including two on the road in the final three weeks of the season versus No. 9 Washington State and No. 24 USC. UCLA finished with a 7-3 record in its final 10 conference contests.
ย
Dodson received the first AVCA All-American recognition of her career in 2023, being named honorable mention. The Bruins' star middle blocker was also named to the All-Pac-12 Team for the third time in her career. Dodson recorded 322.0 points (3.04 PPS) off 233 kills and 131 blocks (1.24 BPS). She led UCLA and ranked fifth in the Pac-12 with a .364 hitting percentage.
ย
Single-match tickets for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season will go on sale Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. (PT) at this link HERE. UCLA's home opener in Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom features a Big Ten Conference matchup versus Ohio State on Sunday, Sept. 29.
ย
2024 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Nebraska
2. Wisconsin
3. Penn State
4. Purdue
5. Minnesota
6. Oregon
7. USC
8. UCLA
9. Ohio State
10. Indiana
11. Illinois
12. Michigan State
13. Washington
14. Maryland
15. Michigan
16. Northwestern
17. Rutgers
18. Iowa
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2024 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Raina Terry, Gr., OH, Illinois
Camryn Haworth, Sr., S, Indiana
Melani Shaffmaster, RS-Sr., S, Minnesota
MERRITT BEASON, Sr., OPP, Nebraska
Taylor Landfair, Sr., OH, Nebraska
Harper Murray, So., OH, Nebraska
Bergen Reilly, So., S, Nebraska
LEXI RODRIGUEZ, Sr., L, Nebraska
Emily Londot, Fifth-Year, OH/OPP, Ohio State
Mimi Colyer, Jr., OH, Oregon
JESS MRUZIK, Gr., OH, Penn State
Chloe Chicoine, So., OH, Purdue
Eva Hudson, Jr., OH, Purdue
Anna Dodson, Gr., MB, UCLA
Mia Tuaniga, Sr., S, USC
Carter Booth, Jr., MB, Wisconsin
Sarah Franklin, Sr., OH, Wisconsin
Anna Smrek, Sr., MB/OPP, Wisconsin
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ALL CAPS indicates unanimous selection.
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Players Mentioned
MB
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