Former NewCath volleyball star McDonald named preseason All-OVC; led SIUE with 316 kills in 2018

By Don Owen

NKyTribune reporter

Former Newport Central Catholic volleyball star Rachel McDonald, now a standout at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, has been named to the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference team.

McDonald, a junior outside hitter, led SIUE with 316 kills last season and added 330 digs. She was also named All-OVC and became the first player during SIUE’s Division I era to collect 30 kills in a match when she accomplished the feat against Eastern Illinois.

The Cold Spring native also recorded 24 kills and 21 digs in a win over Tennessee Martin. In that victory, she became the first SIUE player in seven years to record 20-plus kills and 20-plus digs in a match.

Against Southeast Missouri State, McDonald finished with 19 kills and 16 digs. She also had a season-best six service aces versus the Redhawks and earned OVC Player of the Week accolades.

McDonald finished her career at NewCath with 1,307 kills, 613 digs, 165 blocks and 139 service aces. She holds NewCath records for kills in a career, kills in a match (38) and kills in a season (483).

Murray State was picked as the preseason favorite in OVC poll. The Racers picked up 12 first-place votes and 228 points. Austin Peay earned six first-place votes and 212 points to be selected to finish second.

Morehead State was selected to finish third, picking up five first-place votes and 207 points while Jacksonville State earned the final first-place vote and 197 points to be predicted to finish fourth.

SIUE completed the top five with 149 points. Rounding out the poll are Southeast Missouri (146), Tennessee Martin (117), Tennessee State (85), Tennessee Tech (83), Belmont (66), Eastern Illinois (64) and Eastern Kentucky (30).

SIUE begins the season Aug. 30 against UC Riverside in a match that will be played at DeKalb, Ill. The Cougars finished 9-20 overall last year, including an 8-8 mark in the OVC.

2019 Ohio Valley Conference volleyball poll
(as selected by OVC volleyball head coaches and sports information directors)
1. Murray State (12 first-place votes) – 228
2. Austin Peay ( Six first-place votes) – 212
3. Morehead State (Five first-place votes) – 207
4. Jacksonville State (One first-place vote) – 197
5. SIUE – 149
6. Southeast Missouri – 146
7. UT Martin – 117
8. Tennessee State – 85
9. Tennessee Tech – 83
10. Belmont – 66
11. Eastern Illinois – 64
12. Eastern Kentucky – 30
(*Schools were not allowed to rank their own team; 11 points awarded for a first-place vote, 10 for second, etc.)