Sander named Off the Block preseason All-American

PROVO, Utah—Off the Block named BYU outside hitter Taylor Sander a preseason first-team All-American.

Sander, who led the 2013 squad to MPSF regular-season and tournament titles and an appearance in the NCAA championship match, was on top of the All-America vote count with 37. UC Irvine’s Michael Brinkley came in second with 36 votes.

Sander averaged 3.94 kills per set on .333 hitting and 1.52 digs per set in 2013. He led the team with 42 service aces. He earned AVCA and Volleyball Magazine first-team All-America, as well as MPSF Player of the Year, All-MPSF First Team and All-MPSF Tournament Team.

The Cougars preview their season Saturday at 7 p.m. MST at the Smith Fieldhouse in their Blue and White match. BYU will host Winnipeg in two exhibition matches Dec. 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. MST before the team’s season opener on the road at Loyola Jan. 3, 2014.