Volleyball Tabbed Fourth in Preseason NEC Poll
CCSU was picked fourth in the league's preseason coaches poll announced Thursday.
The Northeast Conference released its Preseason Coaches Poll for the upcoming volleyball season on Thursday and Central Connecticut was tabbed fourth by the league's coaches.
The Blue Devils finished fifth in the league standings in 2021 with a 6-8 conference mark and a 9-17 record overall. Sophomore Nyjha Marcelin returns after earning All-Northeast Conference Second Team honors last season. Senior setter Natalie Novak and junior opposite Isabelle Roufs are also among an experienced group of CCSU returnees looking to return to the league tournament. Linda Sagnelli return 23rd season as head coach of the Blue Devils. She is the program's all-time winningest coach with 335 career victories.
Sacred Heart was a unanimous pick as the preseason favorite. The Pioneers won the league's berth to the NCAA Tournament last season. LIU and Saint Francis U, which both participated in the league tournament last season, were picked second and third, respectively.
CCSU volleyball will open the season at the Iona Tournament against Providence on August 26. The Blue Devils will host their home tournament on September 2 and 3. The top four teams in the regular season standings will qualify for the league's postseason tournament, which will be hosted by the top seed.