AUGUSTA, GA – Augusta Volleyball was picked as the preseason favorite in the 2023 PBC Preseason Coaches Poll. Seniors
Jada Suguturaga and
Jazmyn Wheeler were named All-PBC preseason selections.
"For the last several years, we were able to reach as high as No. 2 in the PBC preseason poll," said head coach
Sharon Quarles. "Honestly, this is a first for AU as a PBC No. 1 pick. We also recently found out that we received additional votes in the AVCA preseason poll. Pretty cool recognition! We know that we definitely want to finish at the top and it is going to take focus and hard work on the part of the entire team-coaches and players."
Augusta sits atop the poll with three first-place votes and 15 total points. The Jaguars won the PBC regular-season championship for the first time in program history in 2022 and reached the NCAA tournament for the fourth year in a row. Seven seniors return from that team for 2023 including Player of the Year
Jazmyn Wheeler and All-Conference selection
Jada Suguturaga.
"We are excited about the squad we have assembled from the returners to the newbies," said Quarles. "The schedule has set us up nicely for what is to come down the home stretch. But, in the meantime, it is about getting after it on the practice court, preparing for each match as it comes, and staying in the moment. The first test is coming down in Daytona Beach FL, next week."
Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Augusta (3) |
15 |
| 2. |
Flagler (1) |
12 |
| 3. |
Lander (1) |
10 |
| 4. |
USC Aiken |
9 |
| 5. |
Georgia College & State University |
4 |
Jada Suguturaga, Augusta (Sr., MH, South Jordan, Utah)
- A second-team All-Conference selection in 2022
- Led the PBC with 139 blocks last year, the seventh-highest single-season total in PBC history (modern scoring era); also led the conference in hitting percentage
- A PBC Presidential Honor Roll Silver Scholar and D2ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient
Jazmyn Wheeler, Augusta (Sr., OH, Phoenix, Ariz.)
- The 2022 PBC Player of the Year, she was a first-team All-Conference selection, D2CCA All-Region selection and AVCA All-America honorable mention
- Was second in the PBC in total kills (389) and kills per set (3.27) and 10th in hitting percentage
- Ranked 10th in digs per set (3.14) and was the only player in the PBC to be in the top 10 in digs, kills and hitting percentage
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