MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Three Morehead State volleyball student-athletes have been tabbed to the Preseason All-OVC Team, and the Eagles earned enough votes from the league's coaches and media relations' personnel to be picked first place in the preseason poll.

All-conference recognition went to junior setter Bridget Bessler, sophomore middle blocker Irene Wogenstahl and junior outside hitter Abby Hulsman. Bessler and Wogenstahl were also honored with postseason All-OVC awards last fall.

The Eagles, who tied for the regular-season OVC title in 2021 and won the league's regular season and tournament in the COVID-19 2020-21 year, garnered nine first-place votes and edged 2021 co-champion Southeast Missouri for top honors in the vote.

Bessler, a three-time First-Team All-OVC selection already, enters her fourth year of action with 2,981 career assists - seventh in MSU history. Last fall, she had 1,058 total assists and led the conference in assists per set. Bessler was a three-time OVC Setter of the Week and has now won that honor 10 times in her career.

Wogenstahl was voted Second-Team All-OVC after registering 86 blocks in 2021. She also slammed down 223 kills.

Hulsman ranked second on the team with 389 kills, including a career-high 28 against Evansville. She also added 56 digs and 24 blocks.

Morehead State opens its 2021 season in Asheville, N.C. on Aug. 26-27 where the Eagles face a pair of new Division I schools in Stonehill (Mass.) and Queens (N.C.).