August 3, 2005

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech's Melissa Markowski and Katie Esbrook have been named to the preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference volleyball team, it was announced today by the ACC.

Markowski, a senior from Glen Ellyn, Ill., is returning for her fourth year as a starter at setter. Last year she totaled 1,314 assists. Her career assist total stands at 3,932, third on the all time list at Virginia Tech.

Esbrook, a junior from Lake In The Hills, Ill., led the Hokies with a .309 hitting percentage, totaling 364 kills and a team-leading 91 blocks. She finished 10^th in the ACC last year in hitting percentage.

"We're excited that they have been recognized for their accomplishments from last year as two of the top 15 players in the ACC," head coach Greg Smith said. "Katie and Melissa have both worked very hard and had great seasons"

With 41 points, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest were both picked to finish ninth in the ACC in the preseason coaches poll. Duke, with 136 points, was predicted to win the league, followed by Georgia Tech (124 points), Virginia (108 points), Miami (100 points) and Florida State (99 points).

North Carolina (96 points), Maryland (72 points), and Clemson (69 points) round out spots six through eight, while Boston College (33 points) and NC State (17 points) were chosen 11^th and 12^th, respectively.

The Hokies open their season on Friday, Sept. 2 against Georgetown in the Hokie Fall Invitational at 7 p.m.