WLU Maintains Top Spot in ODAC Poll

VWC, BC, R-MC All Receive First Place Consideration

SALEM, Va. --- Washington and Lee University maintains its familiar spot atop the ODAC volleyball ranks as the league's coaches picked the Generals as the favorite to win their 13^th conference title in the 2009 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll.  Washington and Lee received four first place votes and 111 total poll points on the way to its No.1 ranking.

The top of the survey is tighter than it has been in years past as three other schools garnered first place consideration, each of which is within 17 poll points of the top billing.  Virginia Wesleyan College (104 pts.) and Bridgewater College (96 pts.) both received a pair of first place votes, but Randolph-Macon College (94 pts.) did one better with three top nods.

Washington and Lee (31-7 Overall, 10-0 ODAC in 2008) has been nothing short of dominant in ODAC play since the turn of the century.  The Generals have won eight straight ODAC titles dating back to the 2001 campaign.  They are currently on a 19-match winning streak in ODAC league competition with their last lost coming to Bridgewater in September 2007.  Prior to that defeat, WLU hadn't dropped an ODAC league match since October 2000 against Roanoke College.  Overall, the Generals are 89-3 in ODAC league matches since the beginning of the 2000 season.

The Generals welcome back several key performers including two-time All-ODAC First Team choice and 2008 ODAC Player of the Year, Rachael Phillips.  Phillips was third in the league in total kills with 365, averaging 3.29 per game.  She also picked up 367 digs, second-best on the squad.  Setters Megan Steinhardt and Kristi Stevens also return to Lexington as the duo combined for 1,129 assists a season ago.  Steinhardt was a 2008 honorable mention selection.  Defensive specialist Kelly Harrison will again cover the back line after leading the squad with 403 digs.

Virginia Wesleyan (23-11, 7-3) and reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Andrea Hoover, welcome back three All-ODAC honorees including '08 first teamer Rebecca Leedom Bradford.  She led the conference in total kills with 402, while also collecting 446 digs from her outside position.  Second team choices Debbie Sterne and Marissa Wood add even more punch to the Marlins' unit.  Sterne, a middle hitter, had 307 kills while registering 98 blocks last season.  Wood, the squad's setter, led all players with 1,179 assists and was second with a 9.43 assists per game average.

Bridgewater (23-8, 6-4) is led by three-time All-ODAC First Team middle hitter Erika Dirnagl and setter Tricia Davis, an honorable mention recipient in 2008.  Dirnagl was second in the league with a .329 hitting percentage and 3.30 kills per game (327 total).  She also recorded a team-best 44 aces.  Davis led the ODAC with a 10.53 assists per game average, passing out 969 total helpers.  She also had 275 digs, second on the team.

Randolph-Macon (24-9, 9-1) lost only to Washington and Lee in league play last season.  Returning to Ashland is a pair of second team choices in April Hines and Jill Kubichan.  Hines, a middle hitter, led the Yellow Jackets with 236 kills and a 2.25 kills per game average.  Kubichan, the Jackets' libero, collected 504 digs (second-best in the ODAC) at a 4.62 per game clip.

The 2009 ODAC Volleyball Tournament begins with quarterfinal action on Friday, November 6, followed by the semifinals and finals on Saturday, November 7.  All matches will be played in the gymnasium at Hollins University.

Posted below is the complete 2009 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll.  For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

2009 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes