San José State University junior Sarah Smevog landed a spot on the 2021 Spring Preseason All-Mountain West volleyball team, as voted upon by the conference's 11 head coaches. Smevog is just the second Spartan to receive this honor, following the footsteps of alum Luiza Andrade who received the honor in 2018.
Smevog, a 5-5 libero from Corona, Calif., averaged 4.38 digs, 0.29 service aces and 1.03 assists per set her sophomore year. She accumulated the sixth-highest dig total in school history with 469 in 2018. Smevog recorded a career-best 35 digs in a match at Utah State, amassing the seventh-highest match total in school history. She was twice named the MW Defensive Player of the Week.
In the classroom, Smevog was named a 2020 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and a 2019 Academic All-Mountain West honoree.
Spring 2021 MW Preseason Team
Lauren Ohlinger, Boise State, So., OH
Alexa Roumeliotis, Colorado State, Sr., L
Breana Runnels, Colorado State, Sr., OH
Ciera Zimmerman, Colorado State, So., S
Desiree Sukhov, Fresno State, Sr., OH
Sarah Smevog, San José State, Jr., L
Mariena Hayden, UNLV, Sr., OH
Jackie McBride, Wyoming, Sr., MB
MW Preseason Player of the Year – Breana Runnels, Colorado State, Sr., OH
The Spartans were selected ninth in the preseason coaches' poll after finishing 10-19 overall and 5-13 in the MW for the 2018 season.
Spring 2021 Mountain West Preseason Poll
1. Colorado State (5) 92
2. UNLV (4) 90
3. Wyoming (1) 80
4. Boise State 76
5. San Diego State (1) 70
6. Fresno State 48
7. Nevada 41
8. Air Force 33
9. San José State 28
10. New Mexico 25
11. Utah State 22
A new face leads the team into the 2020-21 season as head coach Trent Kersten begins his first season at the helm of the program after being named the program's eighth head coach in early 2020. He came to San José State from TCU where he spent five years on the coaching staff. Kersten also works with the USA Volleyball High Performance programs. He was named to the 2020 U.S. Girls Youth National Training Team coaching staff as an assistant coach.
With the delay in the season due to COVID-19, the 2020-21 season will consist of conference matches only. San José State opens the season next week hosting with matches against Boise State. Due to county restrictions, spectators will not be allowed in the venue.
Fans of the Spartans can watch all matches on the Mountain West Network and follow live stats. All links can be found at www.sjsuspartans.com.
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