Aug. 8, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Fourth-year junior Natalie Mullikin was named to the Preseason All-ACC team for the second straight year, as announced by the league office on Wednesday.

In the preseason team poll, also released today, Wake Forest was picked to finish eighth in the conference, in voting by the league's 12 head coaches.

For the second year in a row, Mullikin was the Demon Deacons' lone representative on the 18-person, preseason team.

After earning preseason kudos in 2006, Mullikin went on to garner second team All-ACC honors. She was also named to the All-ACC Academic team, becoming one of just 10 players in the conference to be selected for both squads.

The middle blocker from Lebanon, Ind. had a record-setting 2006 season for the Deacs, finishing the year as Wake Forest's single-season record holder in total blocks, block solos and blocks per game. Mullikin tallied 153 total blocks, including 49 block solos, for an average of 1.29 per game.

Mullikin ranked fifth in the ACC in blocks per game. Her 104 block assists put her third on the Demon Deacons' single-season list, just 10 behind rising senior Jackie Lucas who broke the all-time mark with 114.

Mullikin also finished the season as the team's hitting percentage leader at .281. She recorded 351 kills and 123 errors in 810 total attempts. Mullikin was second on the team with 2.95 kills per game.

In the team poll, Wake Forest received 65 points to finish just three behind seventh-place Virginia Tech.

Defending champion Duke was picked as the favorite to win the ACC title this fall. The Blue Devils received 142 points and 10 of the 12 first-place votes.

Georgia Tech was picked to finish second, garnering the remaining two first-place votes, while Virginia was tabbed for third.

Clemson, Florida State and North Carolina rounded out the top six. Maryland, Miami, Boston College and NC State were picked in the No. 9-12 slots.

Wake Forest returns 11 letterwinners, including four starters, from last year's squad that went 14-17 overall and finished tied for seventh in the ACC with a 10-12 mark. The Deacons were picked to finish ninth in the 2006 preseason poll.

Wake Forest opens its 2007 campaign Aug. 31 at the Miami (Ohio) Tournament. The Deacs will open with Pittsburgh on Friday and then face Miami (Ohio) and Michigan on Saturday.