FAYETTVILLE, N.C. - The Salem College volleyball team was selected fourth in the USA South East Division coaches preseason poll.
The Spirits enter the 2018 season coming off of a 21-12overall record with a 10-6 conference record. Last season was highlighted by a six match win streak in late September. This year, the Spirits are under the leadership of first year head coach Catherine Head.
Meredith College took the top spot in the East Division and received four first place votes with defending division champions Averett University landing in second also with four votes. William Peace rounds out the top three as they also captured one first place vote in the East Division.
2017 Conference Champions Covenant College took the first place ranking in the West Division and received seven first place votes.
The Salem season is set to begin on Friday, August 31st as the team is on the road for the Route 42 Classic hosted by Eastern Mennonite University.
2018 USA South Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
East Division |
| Rank |
Institution (1st Place Votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Meredith (4) |
59 |
| 2. |
Averett^ (4) |
58 |
| 3. |
William Peace (1) |
45 |
| 4. |
Salem |
42 |
| 5. |
Methodist |
36 |
| 6. |
N.C. Wesleyan |
33 |
| 7. |
Greensboro |
22 |
| 8. |
Pfeiffer* |
20 |
| 9. |
Mary Baldwin |
9 |
*Ineligible for USA South Tournament (Div. III Reclassifying Member)
^Defending Division Champion
|
|
2018 USA South Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
West Division |
| Rank |
Institution (1st Place Votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Covenant^# (7) |
49 |
| 2. |
Maryville (1) |
40 |
| t-3. |
Brevard* |
34 |
| t-3. |
Piedmont |
34 |
| 5. |
Huntingdon |
25 |
| 6. |
LaGrange |
19 |
| 7. |
Agnes Scott |
14 |
| 8. |
Berea |
9 |
*Ineligible for USA South Tournament (Div. III Reclassifying Member)
^Defending Division Champion
#Defending Tournament Champion |
|
|
2018 USA South Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
East Division
|
|
Rank
|
Institution (1st Place Votes)
|
Pts.
|
|
1.
|
Meredith (4)
|
59
|
|
2.
|
Averett^ (4)
|
58
|
|
3.
|
William Peace (1)
|
45
|
|
4.
|
Salem
|
42
|
|
5.
|
Methodist
|
36
|
|
6.
|
N.C. Wesleyan
|
33
|
|
7.
|
Greensboro
|
22
|
|
8.
|
Pfeiffer*
|
20
|
|
9.
|
Mary Baldwin
|
9
|
|
*Ineligible for USA South Tournament (Div. III Reclassifying Member)
^Defending Division Champion
|
|
|
2018 USA South Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
West Division
|
|
Rank
|
Institution (1st Place Votes)
|
Pts.
|
|
1.
|
Covenant^# (7)
|
49
|
|
2.
|
Maryville (1)
|
40
|
|
t-3.
|
Brevard*
|
34
|
|
t-3.
|
Piedmont
|
34
|
|
5.
|
Huntingdon
|
25
|
|
6.
|
LaGrange
|
19
|
|
7.
|
Agnes Scott
|
14
|
|
8.
|
Berea
|
9
|
|
*Ineligible for USA South Tournament (Div. III Reclassifying Member)
^Defending Division Champion
#Defending Tournament Champion
|
|
