The NCAA Divison II Northeast-10 Conference recently announced the 2009 Northeast-10 Volleyball Preseason coaches poll, with Southern Connecticut State University traveling to Saint Michael’s College kicking off the academic year on August 27. Here is a look into the preseason poll and what to look for from the top-five teams in conference this season.
1. Bentley University
The Bentley University Falcons received the most first-place votes in the preseason poll. Last year the Falcons finished third in the Northeast-10 at 12-2 and 21-12 overall. The team returns twelve players from last year’s squad, including three-time first-team All-Conference senior Alex Kearney. She has 1,161 career kills and 1,021 career digs through three seasons, marks that only three previous Falcons reached in their careers. The Falcons also field the 2008 NE-10 Libero of the Year in senior Cassie Kraft, who posted 4.45 digs per game last season. In her career she has posted 1,597 digs.
Head Coach Sandy Hoffman enters her 28th season for Bentley. In her career she has won 683 games, good for fourth amongst Division II coaches. Expect her to lead her team deep into the postseason.
2. Merrimack College
Merrimack lost only one game in conference play last season, going 20-10 overall and 13-1 in the NE-10. The 20 overall wins were a program record for the Warriors and reigning Northeast-10 Coach of the Year Joey Pacis. Junior Molly Cindric had an outstanding season, posting a conference-best 3.38 kills per game. She led the team with 365 kills, 60 block assists and 65 total blocks. She needs only 44 more block assists to set the program record of 176 career assists.
The Warriors will be looking to make their third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance this season.
3. University of New Haven
In the New Haven’s first season in the Northeast-10, the Chargers certainly made an impression, going 14-0 in conference play, winning the regular-season title and eventually the tournament title as well. The Chargers also made an impression at the national level, becoming the first team from the NE-10 to win the regional championship and reach the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. The Chargers did lose a lot of key players from last season, but Head Coach Robin Salters and her squad look to contend for the conference title again this year.
4. Adelphi University
This will be Adelphi’s first season in the Northeast-10 Conference, but in the last two seasons in the East Coast Conference were a force, posting back-to-back 27 win seasons and two-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Coached by Danielle MacKnight, the Panthers received great work from then-junior libero Amy Williams, who led the team with 650 digs.
5. American International College
Last season American International College had a decent season, going 12-12 overall and 8-6 in the Northeast-10. The Yellow Jackets were led by then-freshman Ellisha Terry, who posted a team-high 271 kills and 263 digs. Junior Kambryn Williams was second on the team with 229 kills and 215 digs. Head Coach Kelly Wengerter and the Yellow Jackers will look to make some noise in the conference and make a push for the postseason.
