RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) in the pre-season poll of the league's head coaches. The Colonels, who finished sixth in the conference last season, return all six starters from a year ago.

Southeast Missouri is a heavy favorite to repeat as OVC champion, followed by Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay. Rounding out the balloting were Murray State and Tennessee Tech (tie), Tennessee-Martin, Morehead State and Tennessee State.

"Fourth is a very comfortable selection for us after finishing sixth last season, but our goal is to finish in the top three," said EKU head coach Lori Duncan. "I think we can certainly exceed those expectations as long as we stay healthy."

Senior outside hitter Courtney Bowen was selected to the pre-season All-OVC First Team and junior outside hitter Becky Galati was named to the second team all-conference unit.

Bowen led the Colonels in kills (445) and total attempts (1265) last season while finishing second on the team in digs (371) and hitting percentage (.204). The Pittsburgh native earned second team all-conference honors last season while playing in all 106 games for EKU.

"I'm very pleased that Bowen made the First Team," said Duncan. "She is certainly deserving and I'm pleased that the other coaches in the conference recognized that."

Galati saw action in 105 games for EKU last season and led the team in digs (395) and digs per game (3.76). She finished second behind Bowen in total attempts with 1073 as a freshman. Galati's outstanding numbers earned her a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer Team last season.

"Becky is a player that we will expect a lot from this season," said Duncan. "She broke her foot on the first day of practice but we hope to have her healthy and ready to go by the start of OVC play."

The Colonels kick off their season on September 1, when they face the Purdue Boilermakers at the Mortar Board Purdue Premier. EKU's first home match of the 2000 season will take place on September 29, when it takes on OVC opponent Tennessee-Martin at McBrayer Arena at 7:00 p.m.