Volleyball Second in NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll
The Central Connecticut volleyball team was picked to finish second in a preseason poll of the NEC's volleyball coaches.
The Northeast Conference announced the results of its annual volleyball preseason coaches' poll on Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Devils were slotted second behind two-time defending champion and preseason favorite LIU Brooklyn.
CCSU and LIU have played for the last two NEC Championships with the Blackbirds winning on both occasions. LIU received all seven first place votes that it was eligible to receive. CCSU was followed in the poll by Robert Morris and Sacred Heart. The #4 Pioneers received the final first place vote of the poll.
NEC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll Results
1. LIU Brooklyn (7)
2. Central Connecticut
3. Robert Morris
4. Sacred Heart (1)
5. Bryant
6. Saint Francis U
7. Fairleigh Dickinson
8. St. Francis Brooklyn
Bryant, Saint Francis U, Fairleigh Dickinson and St. Francis Brooklyn filled the final four spots of the poll.
The Blue Devils finished the 2013 season with a 21-9 overall record and an 11-3 mark in Northeast Conference play.
Head coach Linda Sagnelli's 2014 squad will feature a trio of players that earned All-NEC honors last season. Junior Makenna Lommori collected first team honors last season, while senior Rachel Dunlap and junior Heather Trueman each earned a spot on the season team.
The Blue Devils will open the 2014 season on August 29-30 at the UConn Classic. CCSU will play Indiana in the tournament's opening match and then play UConn and New Hampshire the following day.