Lees-McRae Voted Preseason Women’s Volleyball Favorite
High Point, NC> Lees-McRae College is primed
for a run at the program’s 14th Conference Carolinas title in
the last 15 years and has been voted the league favorite by
conference coaches in this year’s preseason poll. The
Bobcats return five starters from last year’s 25-8 squad
which posted an unblemished 18-0 record in league play en route to
both the conference regular season and tournament crowns. Megan
Epperson, Taylor Clendenin, and Megan Mitchell return to anchor the
Bobcat rotation, and with the help of key returners Jessica
Singewald, Lauren Fox, and Dana Oliver, look poised for a deep run
into the NCAA Tournament under the guidance of head coach Wes
Schneider.
“I’m excited for this season and hope that we do
well,” said Schneider. “Everyone in the conference has
gotten a ton better and I think the conference will be the best
it’s been in a long time. I look forward to the
competition.”
After Erskine College’s run last year to
the conference tournament finals, league coaches chose the Flying
Fleet second in this year’s preseason poll. Erskine
brings back an experienced team that will look to contend for this
season’s conference championship. The Fleet finished
last season 20-11 overall and 14-4 in conference play.
Erskine returns eleven players from last year’s squad,
including five All-Conference players in Jamie Murray, Sandra
Campbell, Brooke Dodge, Larz Chabra, and Liz Massey. Seniors
Sandra Campbell and Jamie Murray led the Fleet in kills last season
and give the Fleet an explosive frontline. Junior setter Larz
Chabra will once again direct the Erskine offense that was second
in the conference last season while fellow classmate Brooke Dodge
anchors the back row from her libero position. Junior
right-side hitter Liz Massey returns from an ankle injury and is an
excellent all-around player who can play both rows.
King College enters its first season
participating in Conference Carolinas and is already garnering the
attention of coaches around the league with a third place vote in
the preseason coaches’ poll. After completing the transition
to NCAA Division II from the NCCAA, the Tornado look to continue
their success following a 31-12 record and willing their way to the
NCCAA national tournament in 2010.
The Tornado will be faced with a steep challenge after losing
three NCCAA All-Americans from a season ago. Sophomore Kelsey
Griffitts and junior Sarah Van Goethem will be called upon to fill
the void on the offensive end after the duo combined for 597 kills
last season. Junior Natalie Brown is expected to be a major
contributor as a defensive specialist bringing back 346 digs.
Junior Shannon Earwood will resume setting duties after posting
over 1,400 assists last season and also contributing 239 digs on
the year. Ashley Pittman returns healthy after missing half the
season due to a knee injury. She led the team in kills prior to the
injury and is expected to return to form.
Belmont Abbey finished fourth in the poll with
Queens fifth followed by Barton, Pfeiffer,
Limestone, Mount Olive, North Greenville, Coker, and
Converse respectively rounding-out the poll standings.
Conference
Carolinas Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll (# of
First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1. Lees-McRae
………………………………………………………
(6) 113
2. Erskine
…………………………………………………………….
(3) 112
3.
King………………………………………………………………..
(3) 97
4. Belmont Abbey
……………………………………………………
85
5.
Queens……………………………………………………………..
84
6. Barton
……………………………………………………………..
64
7. Pfeiffer
…………………………………………………………….
58
8. Limestone
………………………………………………………….
48
9. Mount Olive
……………………………………………………….
47
10. North
Greenville……………………………………………………
41
11. Coker
……………………………………………………………..
24
12.
Converse………………………………………………………….
19