BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The defending SWAC Champions enter the season looking to repeat and have a great opportunity with three Preseason SWAC Player of the Year's and four Preseason All-SWAC members.
 
The Rattlers lead the SWAC as they have three of the four preseason player of the year recognitions in Dominique Washington (Preseason Player of the Year), Irem Ucar (Preseason Setter of the Year), and newcomer Jada Taylor (Preseason Libero of the Year).
 
The Rattlers have the second most Preseason All-SWAC members as Dominique Washington, and Irem Ucar were both named to the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. Jasmine Robinson and Jada Taylor were named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team.
 
Dominique Washington - Preseason Player of the Year/Preseason SWAC First Team
 
Washington was one of the best offensive players in the nation this past year as she finished the regular season ranked 3rd in the NCAA in total kills (489) and 5th in points (539.5). Washington led the SWAC in attacks per set, kills per set points, points per set, total attacks, and total kills. She also ranked in the top 10 in total digs in the conference. Washington earned SWAC Weekly honors ten times during this past season and was named the 2021 SWAC Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and First Team All-SWAC.
 
Irem Ucar - Preseason Setter of the Year/Preseason SWAC First Team 
 
Ucar was one of the top setters in the league this past season, ranking 1st in assists (1020) and assists per game (10.5 APG). She also ranked nationally in both of those categories, as well as ranking 32nd in total assists and 38th in assists per set. Ucar also had the 5th most service aces per set in the conference. She earned SWAC Weekly honors eight times this past season and was named the 2021 SWAC Setter of the Year and First Team All-SWAC.
 
Jada Taylor - Preseason Libero of the Year/Preseason SWAC Second Team
 
Taylor transferred from Grambling State after being one of the best liberos in the nation and the SWAC during the 2021 campaign. She ranked 24th in the nation in digs per set (5.09) and 53rd in the nation in total digs (514). During conference play, Taylor led the SWAC in digs per set (5.61) and total digs (320). She was named the 2021 SWAC Preseason Libero of the Year after earning Spring 2021 SWAC Libero of the Year and Spring 2021 First Team All-SWAC accolades.
 
Jasmine Robinson - Preseason SWAC Second Team
 
Robinson had an impressive freshman campaign finishing fourth on the team in points with 156 and tied for 8th in the conference with 2.86 points per set. Robinson also finished second on the team with 2.25 kills per set and posted a single-game high of 25 kills in a 3-2 win versus Texas Southern. Robinson was also named SWAC Newcomer of the Week once and earned 2021 Second Team All-SWAC.
 
The Rattlers prepare for the 2022 season with an exhibition match versus West Florida Friday, August 19 at 1 p.m. in the Al Lawson Center. The exhibition is free to the public.
 
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