Rock Hill, S.C.----The South Atlantic Conference announced the preseason volleyball coaches poll Wednesday morning, with the Wingate University Bulldogs checking in at second in the poll, voted on by the league's head coaches. In addition, three Bulldogs have earned preseason accolades.
Lillian Edwards,
Hailey Green and
Grace Woodring have been named SAC Players to Watch.
Anderson is the preseason favorite, collecting eight of the 12 first-place votes, followed by Wingate, who hauled in three first-place votes. Lenoir-Rhyne is third, notching the final first-place vote. Carson-Newman checks in at fourth, with UVA Wise, Coker, Tusculum and Catawba rounding out the top eight. Newberry is ninth, while LMU, Mars Hill and Emory & Henry round out the poll.
The Bulldogs went 31-2 last season, with a perfect 18-0 record in league play to win their 19th regular season SAC title in the last 20 years. Wingate went on to capture the SAC Tournament title for the 15th time in 20 seasons. The 'Dogs earned hosting duties at the NCAA Southeast Regionals, while capturing the eight region championship in program history to advance to the national quarterfinals. Wingate dropped a five-set heartbreaker in the quarterfinals against eventual national champion Metro State. The Bulldogs are ranked 13th in the AVCA preseason national poll. This marks the first time in 20 years Wingate has not been chosen as the preseason SAC favorite.
The Bulldogs open up the season this weekend, traveling to South Carolina for the Lander Invitational on Friday. Wingate will face Lee at 12:30 p.m., then take on the Bearcats at 5:30 p.m. Wingate travels to the Mount Olive Tournament next weekend to face Fayetteville State, Mount Olive and Shaw. The 'Dogs open league play at home Sept. 8, hosting Newberry at 6 p.m. in the home opener.
SAC Volleyball Preseason Poll
| Rnk |
Team |
Points |
| 1 |
Anderson (8) |
116 |
| 2 |
Wingate (3) |
109 |
| 3 |
Lenoir-Rhyne (1) |
101 |
| 4 |
Carson-Newman |
97 |
| 5 |
UVA Wise |
71 |
| 6 |
Coker |
61 |
| 7 |
Tusculum |
55 |
| 8 |
Catawba |
52 |
| 9 |
Newberry |
42 |
| 10 |
Lincoln Memorial |
40 |
| 11 |
Mars Hill |
37 |
| 12 |
Emory & Henry |
11 |
Preseason All-SAC
Emerson Ahsmuhs, Carson-Newman
Maddie Hurst, Carson-Newman
Ellie Nieporte, Anderson
Emmaleigh Allen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Emily Campbell, Anderson
Blair Cherry, Carson-Newman
Averie Dale, Lenoir-Rhyne
Mia Elder, Anderson
Ava Reeves, Anderson
Players to Watch
Anderson
Maura Kindel
Catawba
Lillie Kate Rogers
Riley Hill
Sydney McCutcheon
Carson-Newman
Annie Dziczkowski
Coker
Addie Bittner
Cheyenne Bird
Cayla Gilmore
Emory & Henry
Tori Boling, OH, Jr., Tega Cay, S.C.
Journey Hinz, L/DS, Jr., Port Richey, Fla.
Zoie Pace, S, Jr., Collinsville, Va.
Lenoir-Rhyne
Morgan Blankenship
Lincoln Memorial
Kaytlin Johnson
Laney Inman
Lauren Jacob
Mars Hill
Ioana Poenaru
Alyssa Kornegay
Skylar Ogden
Newberry
Carole Ann Hussey
Carley Raleigh
Anna Schneider
Tusculum
Karris Oller
Mackenzie Land
Mary Katherine Hall
UVA Wise
Abigail Curtis
Mable James
Riley Brandon
Wingate
Lillian Edwards
Hailey Green
Grace Woodring
