Shippensburg, Seton Hill, Gannon and West Chester Voted Favorites in PSAC Volleyball Preseason Polls
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- Shippensburg, Gannon, Seton Hill and West Chester have been selected as the favorite in their respective divisions in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches, the conference office announced Tuesday afternoon.
After becoming the second PSAC school (California, 2000) to make it to the NCAA DII Final Four, Gannon earned 15 first-place votes and was tabbed the favorite in the Northwest Division. The Golden Knights are ranked No. 13 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 Poll. GU finished the 2017 campaign with a 32-7 overall record and has made nine consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Edinboro claimed the remaining first-place vote and was slated second. The Fighting Scots knocked off No. 1 seed IUP in the PSAC Tournament last year and finished the season 22-10. Coach Missy Sobeleski enters her 14th year at the helm and has posted four consecutive 20-win seasons.
Mercyhurst was selected third while Slippery Rock claimed fourth. The Rock is under the direction of Laurie Lokash, who enters her 35th season in charge and has amassed 625 wins.
In the Central, Shippensburg swiped nine first-place votes and claimed the top spot. The Raiders will be spearheaded by Samantha Webber and setter Emily Hangen. The duo represents the league’s previous two Freshman of the Year. Junior outside hitter Morgan DeFloria became the ninth Raider to record 1000 kills in a career.
Pitt-Johnstown, the defending PSAC champions, received seven first-place votes and were selected second. The Mountain Cats must replace seven seniors after posting a 27-9 mark in 2017. UPJ will be led by second-team all-conference representative Caitlin Vrabel.
Lock Haven was slated third and returns redshirt junior Shaye Whiteman. Whiteman amassed 777 digs last season; which was best across all divisions in the country. Bloomsburg claimed fourth while entering its first season in program history. The Huskies boast a roster of 30 student-athletes that features 25 freshmen and a stud transfer in Sarah Gomish. Gomish was a two-time all-conference representative during her time at LHU.
Seton Hill garnered eight first-place votes and the top slot in the Southwest. The Griffins are under the direction of Rick Hall, who enters his 34th season and claimed his 700th career win last year.
Clarion grabbed six first-place votes and was tabbed second while IUP earned the final two first-place votes and was slated third. California rounded out the poll and will return third-team all-conference representative Rachel Priore.
West Chester seeks a three-peat as the Southeast Division champs while accumulated 11 first-place votes and the top spot. The Golden Rams are 13-2 against their Southeast opponents the last two seasons.
East Stroudsburg amassed four first-place votes and were selected second. The Warriors will be led by Sarah Smith. Smith earned third-team all-conference recognition and was the first Warrior to receive all-conference accolades since 2012.
Millersville claimed the final first-place vote and landed third. The Marauders return four starters, including Lindsey Blevins. Blevins ranked fourth in the league in kills as a freshman.
Kutztown was tabbed fourth and return a pair of athletes who have both recorded over 600 kills in their respective careers.
KU, IUP and ESU open its respective seasons on Thursday, Aug. 23 while seven institutions begin play on Friday, Aug. 24.
PSAC Volleyball Preseason Polls
(# of first-place votes)
Central
1) Shippensburg (9)
2) Pitt-Johnstown (7)
3) Lock Haven
4) Bloomsburg
Northwest
1) Gannon (15)
2) Edinboro (1)
3) Mercyhurst
4) Slippery Rock
Southwest
1) Seton Hill (8)
2) Clarion (6)
3) IUP (2)
4) California
Southeast
1) West Chester (11)
2) East Stroudsburg (4)
3) Millersville (1)
4) Kutztown