LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Colorado College volleyball team will start the season ranked No. 8 in the country while the Trinity University volleyball team will be ranked No. 13 as the American Volleyball Coaches Association release their preseason poll on Wednesday afternoon.
Southwestern University received 80 votes in the poll, the fourth most among all teams receiving votes.
The Tigers of Colorado College advanced to the regional final of the 2013 NCAA Championship against Emory University, and completed the campaign with a 35-5 record, the second most victories in a single season that was first set in 1983 and equaled for a second time in 2009. The Tigers were ranked 12th in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III poll in 2013.
The Tigers return their entire starting lineup in 2013 including sophomore All-American outside hitter Abbe Holtz. The 2013 SCAC and AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year finished second in the SCAC averaging 3.25 kills per set. She also led the Tigers in points per set (3.73), was second in digs (2.89) and fourth among the starters with a .223 hitting percentage. Holtze led Colorado College with 13 double-doubles (kills-digs).
The Tigers of Trinity come off one its best seasons in recent history, finishing the year with a 36-7 overall record. The Tigers were ranked 15th in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III poll. Trinity won its 16th overall SCAC Championship and advanced to the regional final against California Lutheran University. Head Coach Julie Jenkins recorded her 800th career victory during the 2013 season.
Trinity also returns the bulk of their lineup
including All-American outside hitter Maggie Emodi. Emodi was named
the 2013 SCAC Player of the Year while earning first team
All-American honors. She finished second in the SCAC in
kills (468), third in kills per set (3.16), eighth in digs (561),
and eighth in hitting percentage (.233). She has achieved 18
double-doubles (kills-digs) for the 2013 season, adding a season
high of six blocks in a single match.
The Pirates come off a 27-12 record including an appearance in the regional semifinal against Trinity and an appearance in the SCAC Championship. A young Pirate team returns a large portion of their primary lineup including senior All-American libero Chandler Lentz. Lentz led the Pirates in digs with 673, averaging just under five per set, while also leading in service aces with 33.
The 2014 SCAC volleyball season gets underway Friday, August 29th with Colorado College, Trinity, and Southwestern all in action that day.
To see the complete 2014 American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Poll, click here.
