Two Clark Atlanta University Lady Panther volleyball players have been named to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's Preseason All-Conference team, while the Lady Panthers have also been picked to finish third in the East Division race, the SIAC announced Thursday.

Senior outside hitter Kia Thomas and junior middle blocker Lauryn Terry were second team picks to the All-Conference team, which was selected by conference coaches and sports information directors.  The same group also voted on the predicted order of finish.

The Lady Panthers haven't been on the court since fall 2019 when they finished 6-15, 5-12 in conference play.

"We are excited," said CAU head coach Ashley Johnson. "Nervous, because it has been awhile since they've had that college competition feel, but really just excited and ready for this new beginning."

Thomas was the SIAC's Most Valuable Player her freshman year and was a first team All-SIAC pick her second year.   In 2019, she was among the conference's top ten in service aces and led the Lady Panthers in kills, attack percentage and blocks.

"Kia Thomas has been dynamic since the day she stepped onto campus," Johnson said.  "She has been one of our leading offensive players and this is her senior year and I expect nothing less but the same output that she has demonstrated the past three years."

In her first season with the Lady Panthers, Terry was third in kills, digs and digs per set, and fourth in blocks.  She had six double-digit games in kills, including a 15-kill game against Lane and 13 in CAU's final game of the season against Savannah State.

"Lauryn is one of our most consistent volleyball athletes," Johnson said.  "You can always count on her to increase the team's momentum if we are in an offensive rut."

The full SIAC predicted order of finish and complete Preseason All-Conference squads are here. 

The Lady Panthers are preparing for their regular season opener on Sept. 3 when they visit Edward Waters University.  CAU's first home game will be Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. when they host Albany State University. 

For more about CAU volleyball, go to  https://clarkatlantasports.com/sports/womens-volleyball.