Ilieva Named to Preseason All-BIG EAST Team - Seton Hall University Athletics
Seton Hall rising sophomore Tsvetelina Ilieva (Sofia, Bulgaria) was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Volleyball Team on Thursday.
shupirates.com
The sophomore is poised for a big year after earning All-Conference as a freshman.
NEW YORK – Seton Hall rising sophomore Tsvetelina Ilieva (Sofia, Bulgaria) was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Volleyball Team on Thursday.
Last year, Ilieva became the first Pirate to be named to the All-BIG EAST First Team since 2018, and the first Seton Hall freshman to receive the honor since Shelby Manthorpe in 2011.
Ilieva was a force for the Pirates during a strange, COVID-19-shortened spring volleyball season. The outside hitter led the Pirates and ranked seventh in the BIG EAST in points, eighth in kills and 10th in service aces among conference-only matches. Playing in all 44 sets this season, she routinely played all six rotations and was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on March 9. Ilieva recorded three double-doubles and twice topped 15 kills in a single match. On March 19, she erupted for a career-high 20 kills at Villanova. In a victory over Sacred Heart on Feb. 27, Ilieva had 15 kills and career-bests of 16 digs and five blocks.
The conference also released its Preseason Coaches' Poll. The very young Pirates were picked to finish 10th. The 2021 squad will feature nine players who are either freshmen or sophomores.
2021 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
(listed alphabetically by institution, then last name)
Melody Davidson, Butler, R-Sr., MB
Caylee Parker, Connecticut, Sr., OH
Naomi Hickman, Creighton, Sr., MB
Jaela Zimmerman, Creighton, Sr., MB
Savannah Rennie, Marquette, Gr., MB
Taylor Wolf, Marquette, Gr., RS/S
Allison Barber, Providence, Gr., S
TSVETELINA ILIEVA, SETON HALL, SO. OH
Efrosini Alexakou, St. John's, Jr., OH
Rachele Rastelli, St. John's, Jr., RS
Averi Salvador, Villanova, Gr., L/DS
Carrigan O'Reilly, Xavier, Jr., S/RS
Preseason Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in ()
1. Creighton (8) - 97 pts
2. Marquette (3) - 93
3. St. John's - 83
4. Xavier - 68
5. Villanova - 56
T-6. Connecticut - 48
T-6. DePaul - 48
8. Providence - 44
9. Butler - 31
10. SETON HALL - 27
11. Georgetown - 10
