Northeast Conference Announces Preseason Volleyball Poll
CCSU opens the season at the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic on August 24-25 at St. John's University.
The Central Connecticut volleyball program collected a first-place vote and was tabbed fourth in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll it was announced by the league on Wednesday. The Blue Devils are coming off a season that saw them win a share of the league's regular-season crown and advance to the final of the league tournament.
Defending champion LIU Brooklyn got five first-place votes and was picked first. Bryant was picked second and got a first-place vote, while Robert Morris was tabbed third and received the final first-place vote.
Head coach Linda Sagnelli will begin her 19th season at the helm of the CCSU program after being named both the ECAC and NEC Coach of the Year last season. The Blue Devils return a roster with a pair of All-NEC honorees and a pair of seniors. Juniors Madelyn Kaprelyan and Morgan Woycik earned 2nd Team All-NEC honors a season ago, while seniors Kaitlyn Kushman and Raquel Quirarte return after playing an integral role for Central in their first three seasons.
The Blue Devils' season begins at the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic on August 24-25 at St. John's University. CCSU will face Eastern Michigan, Manhattan, Fordham, and the host Red Storm in the event. Central's first home contest will be against Robert Morris on September 21 to open NEC play.
The 2018 NEC Tournament will take place on November 16-17. The top four finishers, based on winning percentage during the conference's regular season will compete in a two-day, single-elimination tournament. The high seed will host the entire event.