BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University volleyball's Nikki Drost and Rachel Woody were named to the 2017 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason All-Conference volleyball team the league announced on Monday morning.
 
Drost, a senior outside hitter averaged 3.12 kills-per-set last season, which led the Colonels and ranked seventh in the OVC. She also tallied 49 blocks, fourth-most on the team and 289 digs – second-best on the team. During the regular season the Las Vegas, Nevada native had 12 double-doubles – seven of which came in conference play. She set a season-high 22 kills in EKU's five set win on the road at Eastern Illinois. The senior ended the 2016 season with First Team All-OVC honors.
 
Woody, the reigning OVC Freshman of the Year started in all 30 matches for the Colonels last season. The Murrieta, California native averaged 6.96 assists-per-set to lead the team and rank eighth in the conference. She also racked up 214 kills, the number being fourth-best on the team. The setter is only the second Colonel to be named freshman of the year, along with Ashley Edmond in 2010.
 
During the regular season Woody logged five triple-doubles, tying for seventh-most in the nation.
 
EKU rounds out the top five in the preseason rankings while Belmont is picked to win the conference, followed by Austin Peay, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Murray State.
 
The Colonels begin the 2017 season August 25 against San Diego State at the San Diego State Tournament in San Diego, California. First serve is set for 10:30 p.m. eastern time.