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Pittman and Samedy Named Preseason All-Big Ten
1/20/2021 1:33:00 PM | Volleyball
University of Minnesota redshirt senior Regan Pittman and senior Stephanie Samedy both landed a spot on the Preseason All-Big Ten team, announced today by the conference office. It is Pittman's first-ever honor and Samedy's third.
Pittman, a 6-5 middle blocker from Spring Hill, Kan., had an outstanding 2019 season when she was named an AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First Team All-American. She also garnered First Team All-Big Ten honors, her second-straight season of doing so. Playing in all 118 sets for the Gophers, Pittman held a team-best 1.41 blocks per set and ranked second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. She posted a career-best 27 solo blocks and 139 block assists for 166 total blocks. She also hit .355, averaged 2.17 kills per set and tied for a team-best 27 aces.
Samedy, a 6-2 opposite hitter from Clermont, Fla., enters 2021 as a three-time AVCA All-American. The three-time All-Big Ten First Team selection led the Gophers in kills (353), kills per set (3.07) and attempts (1002). The six-rotation player also established 299 digs, 23 aces and 107 blocks. Samedy led the Gophers in match kills 11 times in 2019 and 12 times in match points. She was also a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week in 2019 and garnered AVCA National Player of the Week. In her junior season, Samedy has also racked up 10 double-doubles.
Minnesota tabbed to finish second in the league standings, voted on by the conference coaches. Wisconsin was predicted to win the conference, followed by Minnesota as second, Nebraska at third, Penn State at fourth and Purdue to round out the top five.
The Gophers open the season this weekend then they host the Michigan State Spartans, Jan. 23-24. Saturday's match is at 4 p.m., on BTN + and KFAN +, while Sunday's contest is 3 p.m., on BTN+/FOX 9+.
2020-21 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Erika Pritchard, Sr., OH, Maryland
Paige Jones, Jr., OH, Michigan
Regan Pittman, R-Sr., MB, Minnesota
Stephanie Samedy, Sr., OPP, Minnesota
Lauren Stivrins, Sr., MB, Nebraska
Lexi Sun, Sr., OH, Nebraska
Serena Gray, Jr., M, Penn State
Kaitlyn Hord, Jr., M, Penn State
Jonni Parker. Jr., OH, Penn State
Grace Cleveland, Jr., OPP/M, Purdue
Caitlyn Newton, Sr., OH, Purdue
Molly Haggerty, Sr., OH, Wisconsin
SYDNEY HILLEY, SR., S, WISCONSIN
DANA RETTKE, SR., MB, WISCONSIN
2020-21 PRESEASON POLL
1. WISCONSIN
2. Minnesota
3. Nebraska
4. Penn State
5. Purdue
6. Michigan
7. Ohio State
8. Illinois
9. Michigan State
10. Northwestern
11. Indiana
12. Maryland
13. Iowa
14. Rutgers
All caps indicates unanimous selection
Pittman, a 6-5 middle blocker from Spring Hill, Kan., had an outstanding 2019 season when she was named an AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First Team All-American. She also garnered First Team All-Big Ten honors, her second-straight season of doing so. Playing in all 118 sets for the Gophers, Pittman held a team-best 1.41 blocks per set and ranked second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. She posted a career-best 27 solo blocks and 139 block assists for 166 total blocks. She also hit .355, averaged 2.17 kills per set and tied for a team-best 27 aces.
Samedy, a 6-2 opposite hitter from Clermont, Fla., enters 2021 as a three-time AVCA All-American. The three-time All-Big Ten First Team selection led the Gophers in kills (353), kills per set (3.07) and attempts (1002). The six-rotation player also established 299 digs, 23 aces and 107 blocks. Samedy led the Gophers in match kills 11 times in 2019 and 12 times in match points. She was also a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week in 2019 and garnered AVCA National Player of the Week. In her junior season, Samedy has also racked up 10 double-doubles.
Minnesota tabbed to finish second in the league standings, voted on by the conference coaches. Wisconsin was predicted to win the conference, followed by Minnesota as second, Nebraska at third, Penn State at fourth and Purdue to round out the top five.
The Gophers open the season this weekend then they host the Michigan State Spartans, Jan. 23-24. Saturday's match is at 4 p.m., on BTN + and KFAN +, while Sunday's contest is 3 p.m., on BTN+/FOX 9+.
2020-21 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Erika Pritchard, Sr., OH, Maryland
Paige Jones, Jr., OH, Michigan
Regan Pittman, R-Sr., MB, Minnesota
Stephanie Samedy, Sr., OPP, Minnesota
Lauren Stivrins, Sr., MB, Nebraska
Lexi Sun, Sr., OH, Nebraska
Serena Gray, Jr., M, Penn State
Kaitlyn Hord, Jr., M, Penn State
Jonni Parker. Jr., OH, Penn State
Grace Cleveland, Jr., OPP/M, Purdue
Caitlyn Newton, Sr., OH, Purdue
Molly Haggerty, Sr., OH, Wisconsin
SYDNEY HILLEY, SR., S, WISCONSIN
DANA RETTKE, SR., MB, WISCONSIN
2020-21 PRESEASON POLL
1. WISCONSIN
2. Minnesota
3. Nebraska
4. Penn State
5. Purdue
6. Michigan
7. Ohio State
8. Illinois
9. Michigan State
10. Northwestern
11. Indiana
12. Maryland
13. Iowa
14. Rutgers
All caps indicates unanimous selection
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