SIUE’s Torre named preseason All-OVC

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville volleyball senior standout Kristen Torre, a Highland native, has been selected as a member of the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team as chosen by the league’s head volleyball coaches and sports information directors.

Torre, who was an All-Conference performer last season for the Cougars, enters her senior season looking to continue her dominance as one of the league’s top middle blockers.

“We’re very excited that Kristen received this honor,” said SIUE head coach Leah Johnson. “She has worked hard in the offseason, and we believe she is poised to take her game and the team’s game to the next level.”

Torre, who is a 2012 graduate of Highland High School, led the Cougars with a .340 hitting percentage and a team-best 393 kills. She also led the team in service aces (38) and blocks (98).

“It is such a great honor to be recognized by the conference so early in the season,” Torre said. “ I have been working hard and it’s always exciting to get noticed for it. But my team has been working just as hard with me all summer long to prove ourselves in conference. We are coming back this year with a fire to redefine what SIUE volleyball looks like. We have put in so much work and it is already showing in these first couple days of preseason. Our team is focused and determined to have a better ending to the season this year.

“It is unbelievable to think that this is already my last season. I have gained so much from this program. I am looking forward to this season and all the excitement and challenges we will face.”

SIUE, which tied the program record in 2014 for Division I wins in a season with 14, begins the 2015 season Saturday, Aug. 22, with a 6 p.m. alumni event and scrimmage at the Vadalabene Center.

The official season starts on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 and 29, at the Hampton Inn Invitational in Macomb, Ill. On Aug. 28, the Cougars will face Akron at 10 a.m. and Drake at 5 p.m. SIUE will finish up with DePaul at 1 p.m. on Aug. 29.

SIUE’s home opener is Sept. 4 against Arkansas.

“It will be a great opportunity to compete against an SEC team and show just how relentless our team is,” Torre said.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "SIUE’s Torre named preseason All-OVC."