Prairie View A&M sophomore libero Shanice Faison was critical in the Lady Panthers' 7-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference record and Western Division regular season title. She was recognized Friday in the SWAC Preseason poll as the No. 1 libero in the conference by being selected to the first team by the coaches.
 
Four-year letterman Breanna McNeil also received her first All-SWAC award. The senior right side/setter was selected as a second team outside hitter. Faison had 339 digs last season with a 3.42 digs per set average. McNeil had 302 assists and 178 kills last season as a do-it-all kind of player for the Lady Panthers.
 
“Being that Shanice started as a freshman last year, we knew that she had the potential coming in to be an All-SWAC player, an All-American or all of the above,” Prairie View A&M head volleyball coach Alicia Pete said. “She is an excellent student- athlete and an excellent player.”
 
McNeil, one of only two seniors on this year's team, will play a pivotal role in the formation of team chemistry. As the Lady Panthers prepare for North Texas, Lamar and Missouri-Kansas City on Friday and Saturday, McNeil will use the selection as motivation to perform.
 
“She worked really hard last year,” Pete said. “This is her senior year. She is definitely going to work harder to achieve all of her goals.”
 
The Lady Panthers kick off their season in Denton at 1:30 p.m. Friday against North Texas. Prairie View will then face Lamar at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and cap off the tournament with a 2:30 p.m. game against UMKC.