Troy University Athletics
Janelle Stuempfig Named SBC Preseason Setter of the Year; Troy Picked Second in West Division
8/15/2024 12:05:00 PM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – Troy's Janelle Stuempfig was named the Sun Belt Preseason Setter of the Year, while Tori Hester joined her on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, the league office announced on Thursday afternoon. Additionally, Troy was picked to finish second in the West Division in a vote by Sun Belt head coaches.
Stuempfig is the first Trojan to receive an individual preseason award since Troy joined the Sun Belt in 2004. The junior setter from Sussex, Wis., is coming off a strong 2023 campaign, where she recorded a team-best 1,084 assists – good for second in the Sun Belt. Her 10.32 assists per set was also second in the SBC and 42nd in the country. She currently sits ninth in program history with 1,120 assists.
"Janelle has improved as a setter every year, and this season we look forward to her continuing the great setter tradition we have established here at Troy," head coach Josh Lauer said.
This is the second consecutive preseason nod for Hester, and the first for Stuempfig. Both players earned postseason recognition from the conference in 2023, as Hester was named First Team All-Sun Belt and Stuempfig was named Second Team All-Sun Belt. Troy joins Texas State as the only other team with multiple selections to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
"I'm always thankful and humbled when the Sun Belt coaches recognize our players in the preseason," Lauer said. "It speaks to the competitiveness and performance of our team, as well as both Janelle and Tori. Both being recognized is well deserved. They are tremendous student-athletes here at Troy and our team is excited for the season ahead."
Hester is coming off a remarkable season that saw her record a team-high 442 kills, good for fourth in the conference and 54th in the country. She had 4.21 kills per set, another mark that led the team, and was second in the conference and 26th nationally. Hester had a career-best 36 kills against Southern Miss last season, which also set a new program record for the most kills in a home match. She enters the 2024 season ninth in program history with 1,231 kills.
"Tori has established herself as one of the top all-around players in the league," Lauer said. "She has consistently represented the Sun Belt in the NCAA rankings offensively over the last two seasons and I can't wait to see what she can accomplish this fall."
The Trojans were selected to finish second in the West Division in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, behind Texas State. It's the highest Troy has been selected in the preseason poll since also being slotted second in the west prior to the 2021 season.
Troy opens its 2024 campaign on the road against Maryland, New Hampshire and LSU from Aug. 30-31 in Baton Rouge, La. The Trojans home opener comes on Saturday, Sept. 7 when they host Cal Poly inside Trojan Arena.
2024 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
Jalyn Stout, Coastal Carolina (S, So., Gainesville, Fla.)
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Jade Defraeye, Texas State (MB, Jr., Dunkirk, France)
Preseason Setter of the Year:
Janelle Stuempfig, Troy (S, Jr., Sussex, Wisc.)
Preseason Libero of the Year:
Mio Yamamoto, Louisiana (L, Sr., Chigasaki, Japan)
Preseason All-Conference
Maya Winterhoff, App State (MB, Jr., Charlottesville, Va.)
Jalyn Stout, Coastal Carolina (S, So., Gainesville, Fla.)
Miëtte Veldman, James Madison (OH, Gr., Daleville, Va.)
Reagan Barth, Georgia Southern (OH, So., Lenexa, Kan.)
Mio Yamamoto, Louisiana (L, Sr., Chigasaki, Japan)
Myah Conway, Old Dominion (RS, Sr., Orwigsburg, Pa.)
Jade Defraeye, Texas State (MB, Jr., Dunkirk, France)
Alyssa Ortega, Texas State (L, Sr., San Antonio, Texas)
Ryann Torres, Texas State (S, Fifth Year, Buda, Texas)
Samantha Wunsch, Texas State (OH, R-So., Austin, Texas)
Tori Hester, Troy (OH, Sr., Salisbury, N.C.)
Janelle Stuempfig, Troy (S, Jr., Sussex, Wisc.)
2024 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
East Division
1.James Madison – 90 (8)
2.Coastal Carolina – 88 (6)
3.Georgia Southern – 74
4.Old Dominion – 48
5.App State – 45
6.Marshall – 31
7.Georgia State – 16
West Division
1.Texas State – 98 (14)
2.Troy – 80
3.South Alabama – 71
4.Louisiana – 57
5.Southern Miss – 37
6.Arkansas State – 35
7.ULM – 14
Stuempfig is the first Trojan to receive an individual preseason award since Troy joined the Sun Belt in 2004. The junior setter from Sussex, Wis., is coming off a strong 2023 campaign, where she recorded a team-best 1,084 assists – good for second in the Sun Belt. Her 10.32 assists per set was also second in the SBC and 42nd in the country. She currently sits ninth in program history with 1,120 assists.
"Janelle has improved as a setter every year, and this season we look forward to her continuing the great setter tradition we have established here at Troy," head coach Josh Lauer said.
This is the second consecutive preseason nod for Hester, and the first for Stuempfig. Both players earned postseason recognition from the conference in 2023, as Hester was named First Team All-Sun Belt and Stuempfig was named Second Team All-Sun Belt. Troy joins Texas State as the only other team with multiple selections to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
"I'm always thankful and humbled when the Sun Belt coaches recognize our players in the preseason," Lauer said. "It speaks to the competitiveness and performance of our team, as well as both Janelle and Tori. Both being recognized is well deserved. They are tremendous student-athletes here at Troy and our team is excited for the season ahead."
Hester is coming off a remarkable season that saw her record a team-high 442 kills, good for fourth in the conference and 54th in the country. She had 4.21 kills per set, another mark that led the team, and was second in the conference and 26th nationally. Hester had a career-best 36 kills against Southern Miss last season, which also set a new program record for the most kills in a home match. She enters the 2024 season ninth in program history with 1,231 kills.
"Tori has established herself as one of the top all-around players in the league," Lauer said. "She has consistently represented the Sun Belt in the NCAA rankings offensively over the last two seasons and I can't wait to see what she can accomplish this fall."
The Trojans were selected to finish second in the West Division in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, behind Texas State. It's the highest Troy has been selected in the preseason poll since also being slotted second in the west prior to the 2021 season.
Troy opens its 2024 campaign on the road against Maryland, New Hampshire and LSU from Aug. 30-31 in Baton Rouge, La. The Trojans home opener comes on Saturday, Sept. 7 when they host Cal Poly inside Trojan Arena.
2024 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
Jalyn Stout, Coastal Carolina (S, So., Gainesville, Fla.)
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Jade Defraeye, Texas State (MB, Jr., Dunkirk, France)
Preseason Setter of the Year:
Janelle Stuempfig, Troy (S, Jr., Sussex, Wisc.)
Preseason Libero of the Year:
Mio Yamamoto, Louisiana (L, Sr., Chigasaki, Japan)
Preseason All-Conference
Maya Winterhoff, App State (MB, Jr., Charlottesville, Va.)
Jalyn Stout, Coastal Carolina (S, So., Gainesville, Fla.)
Miëtte Veldman, James Madison (OH, Gr., Daleville, Va.)
Reagan Barth, Georgia Southern (OH, So., Lenexa, Kan.)
Mio Yamamoto, Louisiana (L, Sr., Chigasaki, Japan)
Myah Conway, Old Dominion (RS, Sr., Orwigsburg, Pa.)
Jade Defraeye, Texas State (MB, Jr., Dunkirk, France)
Alyssa Ortega, Texas State (L, Sr., San Antonio, Texas)
Ryann Torres, Texas State (S, Fifth Year, Buda, Texas)
Samantha Wunsch, Texas State (OH, R-So., Austin, Texas)
Tori Hester, Troy (OH, Sr., Salisbury, N.C.)
Janelle Stuempfig, Troy (S, Jr., Sussex, Wisc.)
2024 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
East Division
1.James Madison – 90 (8)
2.Coastal Carolina – 88 (6)
3.Georgia Southern – 74
4.Old Dominion – 48
5.App State – 45
6.Marshall – 31
7.Georgia State – 16
West Division
1.Texas State – 98 (14)
2.Troy – 80
3.South Alabama – 71
4.Louisiana – 57
5.Southern Miss – 37
6.Arkansas State – 35
7.ULM – 14
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