Commonwealth Women’s Volleyball
August 27, 2008
LEBANON VALLEY FAVORED IN COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley College has been chosen as the favorite to win the Commonwealth Conference crown during the 2008 women’s volleyball season by the conference coaches in the annual preseason poll. The Dutchmen (22-10, 4-1) receive 42 points in addition to tallying up five first-place votes. Heading into the conference tournament as the number two seed, Lebanon Valley was matched up with top seed Elizabethtown. Unable to take down the Blue Jays, the Dutchmen fell in three straight sets, losing 3-0. Competing in the ECAC South Tournament for the fourth year in a row, the Dutchmen earned the fourth seed and hosted Washington & Jefferson, where they were defeated 3-2.
LVC will be led by seniors Erin Yost and Brandi Roth. In 2007, Yost posted 6.57 assists per set in her 89 sets, good for sixth-best in the conference. Roth recorded 4.11 digs in her 111 sets, finishing fifth in the conference in that category. Sophomores Joelle Snyder (Rookie of the Year last season) and Emily Perkins also look to repeat successful freshmen campaigns. Head Coach Wayne Perry will look for victory number 400 in 2008, as he is currently sitting at 389 wins.
Messiah (21-11, 3-3) places second in the poll with 36 points and two first-place votes.
The Falcons finished third in the conference and were matched up with number two seed Lebanon Valley in the conference semi finals. Losing 3-2, they gave Lebanon Valley a hard fought match right to the end. Senior Meghan Morrissey will lead the Falcons this season after a 2007 campaign in which she posted 5.06 digs per set in her 123 sets, placing her second in the conference in digs. Classmate Leslie Heffner will also play an important role in the Messiah attack, recording 295 kills and 46 service aces, both good for top-10 finishes a year ago.
Elizabethtown (32-7, 5-0) earns a third-place mark in the poll with 35 points.
After a season in which the Blue Jays became the conference champions, defeating Lebanon Valley 3-0, Coach Randall Kreider was named Coach of the year. Earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Blue Jays knocked off Neumann in three straight sets, 3-0. Advancing to the second round against Haverford, the tables were turned and Elizabethtown was knocked out in three straight sets. Senior Corin Kidwell and junior Paige Tanner look to carry Elizabethtown in 2008 back to the championship. Kidwell carded 3.38 digs per set and Tanner finished in the top-10 in the conference with 3.70 digs and 2.84 kills per set last season.
Widener (16-20, 2-3) finds themselves in fourth in the poll with 27 points.
Earning the fourth seed in the conference tournament, Widener’s first trip to the conference tournament in eight years ended with a 3-0 loss to top ranked Elizabethtown.
Juniors Devan Green and Julieanne Gryn will pace the Pride this season after a 2007 season featuring outstanding performances from each athlete. Green finished in the top-10 in the conference in kills per set (2.77) and 47 service aces while Gryn led the conference with 5.54 digs per set.
Albright (5-16, 0-5) comes in tied for fifth in the poll with 21 points.
Sophomores Lauren Higgins and Kelly Nicodemus will try and mirror their freshmen campaigns this season for the Lions. Higgins led the conference in service aces per set (0.62) while Nicodemus ranked third in the conference in digs per set (4.54). Seniors Jessica Higgins and Jennifer Lynch will provide leadership for Albright.
Lycoming (5-30, 1-4) also tied for fifth in the poll with 21 points.
The Warriors will have three significant players returning in senior Heather Frantz, junior Abby Myers, and sophomore Megan Schulze. Frantz ranked third in the conference in kills (2.77/set) as Myers notched top-10 finishes in assists (8.04/set) and service aces (0.49/set). Schulze, a Second-Team All-Commonwealth selection as a freshman, placed second in the conference in both hitting percentage (.276) and blocks (1.09/set).
Arcadia (12-14, 4-2) comes in seventh in the poll with 15 points.
A newcomer to the conference, the Knights were able to advance to the Freedom Conference semifinals a year ago, where they were beaten 3-0 by FDU-Florham. Arcadia will be led by senior Sam Schad to make a push back to post season play. Schad posted 2.50 kills and 2.21 digs per set.
Commonwealth Conference Preseason Women’s Volleyball Poll
1. Lebanon Valley 42 points (5)
2. Messiah 36 points (2)
3. Elizabethtown 35 points
4. Widener 27 points
5t. Albright 21 points
5t. Lycoming 21 points
7. Arcadia 15 points
( ) first place votes in parentheses