SPARTANBURG, S.C.- On the heels of an impressive 2009 season, one that included capturing just one of four total spots in the Southern Conference Tournament, Appalachian State University volleyball was selected to finish third in the North division by the league's coaches, announced the conference office Tuesday morning. Reigning North division champion Samford was tabbed to win the division, while tournament champion College of Charleston was selected to win the South, making it the second straight year the two teams were picked as preseason division favorites.
In the North, Samford notched nine first place votes and 65 points total, as the Bulldogs are seeking their third straight division crown. Elon was picked ahead of the Mountaineers in the second place spot, finishing with 52 total points, including one first-place vote.
The Black Gold, which edged Samford in a 3-2 thriller a season ago in Boone and snuck past Elon by the same margin to qualify for the conference tournament, were picked third, earning 50 total points, and grabbed the final two first-place votes. ASU returns four starters from last year's squad that finished second in the North, and has one of the top recruiting classes in the country, with five newcomers joining the team for the 2010 season.
Head coach Matt Ginipro believes that this preseason poll displays the strength of the conference and how challenging and important each conference match will be this season.
"This year's poll shows how competitive this conference season is going to be," Ginipro said. "To have three teams in each division getting first place votes shows how strong our top teams are and how tough each SoCon match will be this year. Clearly, we are going to work hard to beat our ranking this year to be at the top of the North Division."
UNCG, Chattanooga and Western Carolina rounded out the division, as the three were chosen to finish fourth, fifth and sixth, amassing 35, 27 and 17 total points respectively.
The 2009 tournament champion College of Charleston was picked to win the South division, earning seven first-place votes and receiving 62 points, while Furman was tabbed to finish second. The Paladins compiled 58 total points and four first-place votes. FU went a spotless 16-0 in conference play a season ago, before losing to CofC in the conference tournament finals.
Georgia Southern grabbed the third slot in the division, with Davidson picked to finish fourth, and Wofford and The Citadel selected to place fifth and sixth.
Anxious to get the 2010 season underway, the Apps take on NC A&T in their season-opener, Friday, August 27 at 4:30 p.m. in the opening match of the High Point Tournament. With time to prepare for its grueling conference slate, SoCon action begins September 25, when ASU hosts The Citadel at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Center.
Southern Conference Preseason Poll
School (#1 Votes) Total Points
North
1. Samford (9) 65
2. Elon (1) 52
3. Appalachian State (2) 50
4. UNCG 35
5. Chattanooga 27
6. Western Carolina 17
South
1. College of Charleston (7) 62
2. Furman (4) 58
3. Georgia Southern (1) 48
4. Davidson 36
5. Wofford 24
6. The Citadel 18
Preseason All-Southern Conference
Name School Position
Cole Dawley College of Charleston S
Caroline Adams Furman MB
Bethany Sanford Georgia Southern OH
Sarabeth Peele Davidson OH
Elyse Chubb College of Charleston MB
Kelly Kirby Furman RS
Kate Van Dyke Georgia Southern S
Hillary Fountain Samford S
Ginny Phillips College of Charleston RS
