On the eve of the 2014 season opener in the ISTAP Collegiate Cup I Tournament presented by Doubletree by Hilton, the defending SWAC Champion Alabama State volleyball team placed five players on the preseason All-SWAC team.
 
The Lady Hornets had four players earning first-team accolades. Amber Bennett, the 2013 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, earned the Preseason Player of the Year honor entering 2014. Bennett was joined on the first team by Tiara Kelley, Myla Marshall, and Brooke Beasley, while SWAC Tournament MVP Rachel Smith earned second-team honors.
 
"I'm excited about our girls getting recognized," Alabama State head coach Penny Lucas-White said. "It tells me that my colleagues see the talent that we have in our program. Mostly I'm pleased for Brooke Beasley being selected. It's important that people know that it's easy for everybody to recognize your hitters, but it takes a very good setter to get them the ball."
 
Bennett (6-1, junior, Baton Rouge, La.) led the SWAC in hitting percentage (.448), second in kills per set (3.1), eighth in blocks per set (0.93), and was an eight-time SWAC Player of the Week.
 
Kelley (6-0 junior; Amarillo, Texas) and Marshall (6-0 junior; Memphis, Tenn.) each earned 2013 first-team All-SWAC honors. Last season, Kelley was ninth in hitting percentage (.277), fifth in the conference in kills per set (2.84). Marshall was sixth in the conference in hitting percentage (.322), and fourth in blocks per set (1.17).
 
Beasley (6-0 senior; Winfield, Ala.) was sixth in the SWAC in assists per set (5.41) and third in service aces per set (0.55).  Smith (5-10 junior; Riverside, Calif.), earned second-team All-SWAC honors in 2013 in which she was eighth in the conference in services aces per set (0.41).
 
The Hornets were also predicted to repeat as Eastern Division champs in the predicted division order of finish.
 
"I get asked that question time and time again (about repeating), and in our minds we don't see ourselves as if we ought to be first," Lucas-White said. "The point that we focus on is being the best team we can be, and if that means being in first, then good. We don't want anybody to give us anything. We will work and train hard like we are going for our first championship. What happened last year is history; that book is closed. We are training for our championship."   
 
Alabama State will open the season hosting the first of two ISTAP Collegiate Cup Tournaments in Lockhart Gym. Admission is free for all matches.
 
"We're ready to play," Lucas-White said. "The girls have had a good preseason.  They're pumped and ready to play. I'm not sure what we need to work on anymore except we need to be tested. We're excited to finally be able to play. The fact that we are able to host two tournaments this year is great. We are excited about the competition that's coming in and being able to play in front of our fans. There is nothing like being at home and having home court advantage."