ROME, Ga. – The Salem volleyball program, which capped off the 2018 season with 10 wins and tied for third-place in the USA South Conference East Division, was predicted to finish fifth in 2019 in a poll conducted of the coaches, the league office announced on Thursday.
Meredith, which captured the USA South Tournament title a season ago, topped all East Division teams in first-place votes (seven) and points (63). William Peace snagged the remaining two first-place votes, while tallying 53 points. Averett and Methodist were picked third and fourth, respectively, edging out Salem in fifth.
Salem, which finished 12-17 overall, was one of four East Division teams to record double-digit league victories in 2018. The Spirits and Averett, who had matching 10-6 marks in conference action, were preceded in the East Division standings by Meredith and William Peace, who finished with 15-1 records.
The Spirits, under the direction of first-year coach Bouaketh Chanthavisouk, have four returning seniors and five juniors on the roster. Among the seniors making the biggest impact in 2018 were Taylor Moulton and Madelyn Chappell, who tallied 273 (2.81 kills / set) and 214 kills (2.25 kills / set), respectively.
Senior teammate Hannah Delcamp also returns to the Spirits after leading the way with 510 assists (5.00 assists / set) and 34 service aces a season ago. Classmate Alexis Sunderland also made her impact felt on the Salem lineup with the third-most digs (277) at a clip of 3.08 digs / set.
Salem opens the 2019 volleyball campaign on Friday, August 30th, when the Spirits trek to Bridgewater College to clash with Wilson (5 p.m.) and Bridgewater (7:30 p.m.) in a two-day, four-match tournament.
(2019 USA South Conference Preseason Polls)
East Division
| Rank | Institution (First Place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1 | Meredith^# (7) | 63 |
| 2 | William Peace^ (2) | 53 |
| 3 | Averett | 50 |
| 4 | Methodist | 46 |
| 5 | Salem | 28 |
| 6 | Greensboro | 27 |
| 7 | N.C. Wesleyan | 25 |
| 8 | Pfeiffer* | 24 |
| 9 | Mary Baldwin | 8 |
*-ineligible for USA South Tournament (Reclassifying Member)
^-Defending Division Champion
#-Defending USA South Tournament Champion
West Division
| Rank | Institution (First Place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1 | Covenant^ (5) | 46 |
| 2 | Huntingdon (2) | 42 |
| 3 | Maryville (1) | 38 |
| 4 | Piedmont | 30 |
| 5 | LaGrange | 28 |
| 6 | Brevard* | 16 |
| 7 | Berea | 13 |
| 8 | Agnes Scott | 11 |
*-ineligible for USA South Tournament (Reclassifying Member)
^-Defending Division Champion