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Volleyball picked 8th in USA South East Division

Volleyball picked 8th in USA South East Division

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference's volleyball coaches have released their 2017 preseason polls. Each divisional preseason poll only includes votes from coaches within that particular division-only. Head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting. This is the fifth season that the Conference will split into divisions in the sport of volleyball as the Conference welcomes new League members Berea College, Brevard College and Pfeiffer University. Brevard and Pfeiffer will not be included in the polls as they are each reclassifying from Division II and are not eligible championship honors this season. 

Averett University, under the direction of 23-year Head Coach Danny Miller was picked to be the East Division favorite. The Cougars are the two-time defending USA South regular season divisional champions and advanced to the finals of the USA South tournament last season. Averett placed first in this year's preseason poll with 62 total points and six first place votes. Last year's USA South Tournament Champions, Meredith College, was second with 57 points and two first place votes. Placing third in the poll with 51 points and the final first place vote was William Peace University. In a tie at the fourth position was Greensboro College and N.C. Wesleyan College who each captured 33 points while Ferrum College followed in sixth with 29 points. Rounding out the poll were Methodist University (27 points), Salem College (24 points) and Mary Baldwin University (eight points).

The volleyball regular season gets underway on Friday, September 1 as ten League teams are in action.

The 2017 USA South Tournament will once again take place on campus sites. The top-six seeded teams from each division will advance to the tournament. The top-two overall seeds from each division will host first and quarterfinal matches on Tuesday, October 31. The winners of the quarterfinal contests will travel to the highest remaining seed who will host the semifinals and finals which will be played on November 3-4.

 

2017 USA South Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
East Division
Rank Institution (1st Place Votes) Pts.
1. Averett (6) 62
2. Meredith (2) 57
3. William Peace (1) 51
t-4. Greensboro 33
t-4. N.C. Wesleyan 33
6. Ferrum 29
7. Methodist 27
8. Salem 24
9. Mary Baldwin 8
--- *Pfeiffer -
*Ineligible for USA South Championship (Div. III Reclassifying Member)