Aug. 27, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. - As the George Mason women's volleyball team prepares to open its 2009 season on Friday evening against American, senior outside hitter Rebecca Walter has been recognized by the Colonial Athletic Association as a member of its preseason All-CAA team.

Walter was one of six players to receive the honor, as selected by a vote of the conference's head coaches. Joining Walter is Northeastern's Britney Brown, VCU's Ivana Rich, William & Mary's Erin Skipper, Delaware's Katie Dennehy and preseason Player of the Year Stephanie Barry.

The Monbulk, Victoria, Australia native earned preseason all-conference honors for the second straight season after recording the league's third-best kill average with 3.31 kills per set as a junior. The outside hitter averaged 3.74 points per set for the Patriots, which ranked third in the CAA.

Walter, who also earned VaSID All-State Second Team honors in 2008, notched seven double-doubles and had 10 or more kills in 20 matches. Following her debut season with the Patriots in 2006, Walter was chosen to the CAA All-Rookie Team, and she was an All-CAA Second Team pick in 2007 as well.

Walter and the Patriots take on the Eagles of American University at 5 p.m. on Friday in their season opener, which also kicks off the 2009 D.C. Volleyball Challenge. Friday's match will be the first for the Patriots at their new home venue, the Recreation and Athletic Complex. Following the Mason-American match, George Washington will take on Georgetown at the RAC.

Admission for both matches is $5 for adults and $2 for children and senior citizens, and can be purchased at the RAC on Friday.