GNAC Releases Volleyball Pre-Season Poll
Rivier Lands No. 1 Spot in Women's Volleyball Pre-Season Poll
BOSTON, Mass. – Coming off of an impressive run in the 2011 GNAC tournament, Rivier University received 166 total points and 10 first place votes to land in the top spot of the 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Pre-Season Coaches' Poll. Emerson College placed second in the poll with 144 points and two first place votes after going a perfect 13-0 in regular season action last year. Emmanuel College was just one point behind the Lions in third place with 143 points and one first place vote while Simmons College was not far off the pace with 127 total points to rank fourth in the poll. Norwich University would come in fifth with 109 points while Saint Joseph's College (ME) rounded out the top six pollsters with 107 points.
After losing former setter Meaghan Flynn to graduation, Simmons is taking a new approach to its offense in 2012. Freshmen Rea Nesta and Brittany Hill will be looked to for height and power on the front line. The Sharks have increased their out of conference strength of schedule and it should make the squad very competitive in October against their GNAC opponents, putting them in a great position to compete for the title.
Johnson & Wales University received 95 total points in seventh place in the poll while Lasell College earned 88 points in eighth. Mount Ida College would register a ninth place showing with 66 points followed by Suffolk University with 51 points in tenth. Rounding out the women's volleyball poll were the University of Saint Joseph (CT), Albertus Magnus College and Anna Maria College with 42, 29 and 16 points apiece.
2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Pre-Season Coaches' Poll |
|||
Rank |
Institution |
First Place |
Total Points |
1 |
Rivier University |
10 |
166 |
2 |
Emerson College |
2 |
144 |
3 |
Emmanuel College |
1 |
143 |
4 |
Simmons College |
127 |
|
5 |
Norwich University |
109 |
|
6 |
Saint Joseph's College (ME) |
107 |
|
7 |
Johnson & Wales University |
95 |
|
8 |
Lasell College |
|
88 |
9 |
Mount Ida College |
|
66 |
10 |
Suffolk University |
|
51 |
11 |
University of Saint Joseph (CT) |
|
42 |
12 |
Albertus College |
|
29 |
13 |
Anna Maria College |
|
16 |