MACON, Ga. – FGCU beach volleyball's Mackenzie Allen has been named to the Atlantic Sun Preseason Watch List, the conference office announced Thursday.

Allen (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast High School) was selected by the conference coaches as a player who could have a breakout season in 2016. As a freshman, Allen went 5-10, including a 4-5 record while partnering with Caroline Jordan (Orlando, Fla./William R Boone High School).

Along with the announcement of the Watch List, the A-Sun also announced its Preseason All-Conference Team and Player of the Year. Mercer's Tori Penrod was named the conference's Preseason Player of the Year, while also topping a list of 10 All-Conference members.

The 2016 beach volleyball season gets underway March 15 in Estero, Fla. as FGCU plays host to Stevenson at 4 p.m.

Preseason A-Sun Beach Volleyball All-Conference Team

Preseason Player of the Year: Tori Penrod, Mercer

Name	School	Class	Hometown
Cristina Finan	Jacksonville	So.	Weston, Fla.
Emily Laskelle	Jacksonville	Sr.	Napa, Calif.
Emily Krogman	Mercer	So.	San Diego, Calif.
Emma Peel	Mercer	Jr.	Portland, Ore.
Sophie Peel	Mercer	So.	Portland, Ore.
Tori Penrod	Mercer	Jr.	Jupiter, Fla.
Jessalyn Kinlaw	North Florida	So.	Bradenton, Fla.
Madison Akins	Stetson	Jr.	Brooks, Ga.
Kaylee Anderson	Stetson	Jr.	Loxahatchee, Fla.
Kristin Lind	Stetson	Jr.	Tierp, Sweden

                            

 
 
Preseason ASun Beach Volleyball Watch List

Name	School	Class	Hometown
Mackenzie Allen	FGCU	So.	Naples, Fla.
Megan Crawshaw	North Florida	Sr.	Mattawan, Mich.
Alyssa Kirkman	Mercer	Fr.	Naperville, Ill.
Katie Krawczyk	Jacksonville	Fr.	Oviedo, Fla.
Sara Putt	Stetson	Fr.	Jupiter, Fla.
Natasa Savovic	Coastal Carolina	Sr.	Belgrade, Serbia

 
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COACH BOTSFORD
 Head coach Matt Botsford is in his second year at the helm of the FGCU volleyball program and his teams have combined for an overall 40-22 (.645) record, including a 21-7 (.750) mark in A-Sun play. In his inaugural season, the Eagles finished with a record of 19-11 with a second-place finish in the A-Sun. Botsford has also coached 10 All-Conference selections in just two seasons at FGCU. Prior to his time in Southwest Florida, Botsford held successful stints as an assistant at Notre Dame, Miami, IUPUI, Indianapolis and most recently Colorado State. Botsford is a former professional volleyball player and is a 1998 graduate of Tri-State University, where he earned a degree in Social Studies Education. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis.