WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gazelle d’Artois has been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year. 

d’Artois, an outside hitter from Newhall, CA, was a first team all-MEAC selection in 2008 and 2009.  Last season, she finished second in the conference in kills per set (3.76) and in points per set (4.23).  She averaged 0.48 assists and 0.27 aces in 122 sets.

Defensively, the senior accounting major added 2.21 digs and 0.35 blocks per set.

In 2008, d’Artois had a sterling season, ranking in the Top 10 in the conference in kills and digs per set.

The Lady Bison were picked to finish fourth in the Northern Division of the MEAC accumulating a total of 151 points.  Preseason honors were voted on by the conference’s head volleyball coaches and sports information directors.

Howard will open the 2010 season under new head coach Dawn Barnes on August 27-29 in the opening round of the tournament at the West Virginia University in Morgantown, WVA.