"Making the preseason all-conference team is huge for Emily," said CU head coach Leigh Mullins. "She has already fit into that role very well. She and my other four seniors have been doing a great job leading this team. We certainly have great senior leadership, and our newcomers are a great compliment to this mixture. We have five seniors that have been through the ups and downs of this program, and they have been a huge part of us turning this team around."

The pick is the highest for the squad since the Mullins era began, and Werner's selection is the first Campbell preseason selection since 2007, when Femi Alabi earned the early recognition.

Last season saw the resurgence of the Campbell volleyball program. Led by Mullins, the Camels went from seven total wins in 2008 to 17 in 2009, the team's most wins in nearly a decade, matching the program's win totals of both 2000 and 2001. Campbell also set a record for A-Sun wins, taking 10 on the year.

The Camels were also one of the A-Sun's top road teams in 2009, posting a 13-6 record away from Buies Creek.

For the second straight year, the Camels made an appearance in the Atlantic Sun Tournament, marking the first time since the 1997 and 1998 seasons that a CU team had made consecutive postseason appearances.

Campbell returns five starters and nine total letterwinners from that team, while bringing in six newcomers.

"Kelsey Campbell is an amazing defensive player and leader, and Heather Wilson, a freshman, are both going to play like seniors," said Mullins. "That's a big thing for us. I think all of my kids are trying to play up to the level of my seniors, and that makes for unreal practices. Maturity wise, it makes a difference to have these five seniors. We met with them before the season, and they are setting the precedence really well."

Defending A-Sun Champion Lipscomb was selected to repeat a stellar 2009 campaign, as the league's coaches predicted both a regular season and tournament title for the Bison. Florida Gulf Coast, Belmont, Jacksonville and Kennesaw State were picked second through fifth. East Tennessee State, Mercer, North Florida, USC Upstate and Stetson round out the list.

A trio of Bison were also selected to join Campbell's Werner on the preseason all A-Sun team, with senior outside hitter Meghan Hinemeyer, senior middle blocker Alex Kelly and senior setter Jake Pease highlighting the list.

FGCU was the only other team to land multiple picks, as senior outside hitter Jelena Simic and junior libero Holly Youngquist making the team. Belmont junior outside hitter Maggie Johnson and UNF senior outside hitter Paige Pridgeon also were honored as preseason favorites.

The Camels will kick off the 2010 season at the star-studded Carolina Classic on Aug. 27, hosted by North Carolina inside historic Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. In addition to the Tar Heels, Campbell will also face off against Villanova and back-to-back-to-back defending national champion Penn State.