W&L Earns Six First Place Votes, R-MC and VWC Collect Three Each
FOREST, Va. --- Just seven points separate the top three teams in the ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll with Washington and Lee University leading the coaches' survey with 115 total points. The Generals earned six first place votes, while Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Wesleyan College collected three each. The Yellow Jackets sit second overall with 109 tallies, just one point clear of the Marlins.
The 2015 season saw Randolph-Macon hoist is fourth ODAC championship trophy, with all four of those titles coming in the past seven seasons behind reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Bill Rogers. Courtney Lowers and Katie Rossberg combined for 43 kills to off-set the 17 winners by Tiffany Barrett in the Yellow Jackets 3-1 victory over Virginia Wesleyan. That win capped a perfect season for R-MC against ODAC foes, which included an 11-0 march thru the conference regular season and three more triumphs in the ODAC postseason.
Randolph-Macon hit the road for regional competition in the NCAA Divsion III Tournament, traveling to Stockton University in Galloway, N.J. Location proved no deterrent for R-MC as the Yellow Jackets rattled off a 3-1 win over Stevenson University before topping Christopher Newport University, 3-2, in a match that saw the two teams combine for 116 kills. Randolph-Macon made history in the regional final against host Stockton as R-MC became the first ODAC volleyball program to qualify for the NCAA's final eight with a 3-0 triumph.
Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., provided the setting for the nation's final eight Divison III volleyball teams, with Randolph-Macon drawing Carthage College in the quarterfinals. R-MC got double-doubles from both Rossberg (17 kill, 13 digs) and Lowers (12 and 19) with Erin Quinn and Riley Martin combining for 34 assists, but Carthage came away with a 3-0 victory, using extra points (28-26) to win the deciding set.
As the ODAC preseason poll would indicate, competition for the 2016 conference championship will be tight. ODAC teams are set to 13 of the 21 All-ODAC honorees from a season ago. Washington and Lee and Emory & Henry return three standouts each. Honorable mention All-American and All-ODAC First Team middle Mackenzie Shand leads a Generals' contingent that includes ODAC Rookie of the Year and outside hitter Meg Guignon and fellow All-ODAC Third Team libero Katie Volk. Right side Hannah Doss and middle Kennady Thomason were both All-ODAC Second Team choices for E&H, with outside hitter Tristen Pennington earning a third team spot.
Randolph-Macon welcomes back first team libero Samantha Sallade along with second team setter Erin Quinn. Virginia Wesleyan's Barrett, who also earned honorable mention All-America accolades, completes the returning first team trio, while Lynchburg College outside hitter Jennifer Garrett and Roanoke College setter Jessica Block cap the five returning athletes that earned second team honors a season ago. Bridgewater College and Shenandoah University each welcome back third team middles with Carleigh Studtmann heading back to BC and Rachel Roberts set for her senior season at SU.
The 2016 season begins with non-conference play on Thursday, September 1. The first ODAC match is slated for Wednesday, September 14. If you can't make it to the games, be sure to check the schedules online for live video, audio and statistics links.
Listed below is the 2016 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC volleyball programs. For more information on ODAC volleyball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.
|
2016 Poll Position: 7th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-21/4-7 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Erin Albert Overall Record/Yrs: 70-89 (.440)/5 Record at BC/Yrs: 70-89 (.440)/5 ODAC Record/Yrs: 27-27 (.500)/5 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: Carleigh Studtmann (M) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 157 - Rachel Kinsey Att. Pct: .230 - Carleigh Studtmann Assists: 428 - Jenna Hamra Digs: 483 - Macon Frey Blocks (T-S/A): 54-14/37 - Carleigh Studtmann Aces: 31 - Jenna Hamra |
2016 Poll Position: 8th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-20/4-7 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #7/Lost in Quarterfinals (VWC, 3-0) Head Coach: Kara Matthews Overall Record/Yrs: 27-31 (.466)/2 Record at RAND/Yrs: 27-31 (.466)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 10-12 (.455)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 235 - Alex Mariona Att. Pct: .157 - Brooks Gillerlain Assists: 526 - Brooks Gillerlain Digs: 208 - Brooks Gillerlain Blocks (T-S/A): 46-12/24 - Alex Mariona Aces: 33 - Alex Mariona |
|
2016 Poll Position: 11th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 9-16/2-9 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Carrie Bert Overall Record/Yrs: 9-16 (.360)/1 Record at EMU/Yrs: 9-16 (.360)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: 2-9 (.182)/1 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 188 - Skyler Johnson Att. Pct: .311 - Jasmine Johnson Assists: 696 - Jasmine Johnson Digs: 275 - Skyler Johnson Blocks (T-S/A): 43-13/30 - Becca Hardy Aces: 32 - Maria Yoder |
2016 Poll Position: 2nd 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 28-8/11-0 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1/Champion (def. VWC, 3-1) Head Coach: Bill Rogers Overall Record/Yrs: 325-130 (.714)/14 Record at RMC/Yrs: 325-130 (.714)/14 ODAC Record/Yrs: 138-20 (.873)/14 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Samantha Sallade (L) Second Team: Erin Quinn (S) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 79 - Mariah Clark Att. Pct: .254 - Colleen Beaver Assists: 696 - Erin Quinn Digs: 611 - Samantha Sallade Blocks (T-S/A): 138-27/111 - Colleen Beaver Aces: 46 - Erin Quinn |
|
2016 Poll Position: 6th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 13-17/5-6 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6/Lost in Quarterfinals (W&L, 3-0) Head Coach: Devyn Bayes Overall Record/Yrs: 31-29 (.517)/2 Record at EHC/Yrs: 31-29 (.517)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 11-11 (.500)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Hannah Doss (RS), Kennady Thomas (M) Third Team: Tristen Pennington (OH) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 242 - Hannah Doss Att. Pct: .244 - Kennady Thomason Assists: 442 - Sarah Scott Digs: 425 - Emily Hinshaw Blocks (T-S/A): 80-21/59 - Kennady Thomason Aces: 60 - Emily Hinshaw |
2016 Poll Position: 5th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 22-6/8-3 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4/Lost in Semifinals (RMC, 3-0) Head Coach: Blair Trail Overall Record/Yrs: 309-204 (.602)/17 Record at RC/Yrs: 309-204 (.602)/17 ODAC Record/Yrs: 108-67 (.617) /17 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Jessica Block (S) Third Team: None (of two) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 258 - Kylah Blackmore Att. Pct: .172 - Kelsey Goodman Assists: 866 - Jessica Block Digs: 304 - Kylah Blackmore Blocks (T-S/A): 45-9/36 - Logan Graves Aces: 55 - Jessica Block |
|
2016 Poll Position: 10th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 7-17/2-9 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Emily Gann Overall Record/Yrs: 101-190 (.347)/10 Record at GC/Yrs: 101-190 (.347)/10 ODAC Record/Yrs: 26-78 (.250)/10 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 248 - Casey Davis Att. Pct: .152 - Heather Crawford Assists: 83 - Casey Davis Digs: 282 - Casey Davis Blocks (T-S/A): 41-7/34 - Heather Crawford Aces: 25 - Casey Davis |
2016 Poll Position: 9th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 18-10/7-4 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5/Lost in Quarterfinals (RC, 3-1) Head Coach: Jaime Terenzi Overall Record/Yrs: 128-151 (.459) /9 Record at SU/Yrs: 97-88 (.524)/6 ODAC Record/Yrs: 20-24 (.455)/4 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None (of one) Third Team: Rachel Roberts (M) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 175 - Kaitlyn Kelley Att. Pct: .235 - Rachel Roberts Assists: 560 - Rachel Cerretani Digs: 188 - Elizabeth Lamont Blocks (T-S/A): 88-28/60 - Rachel Roberts Aces: 41 - Jasmine Callahan |
|
2016 Poll Position: 12th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 4-20/0-11 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Kat Lawson Overall Record/Yrs: 4-20 (.167)/1 Record at HU/Yrs: 4-20 (.167)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: 0-11 (.000)/1 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 192 - Deja Hadden Att. Pct: .259 - Deja Hadden Assists: 14 - Jessica Bradbury Digs: 167 - Torri Jolly Blocks (T-S/A): 55-19/36 - Deja Hadden Aces: 15 - Deja Hadden |
2016 Poll Position: 4th 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 25-10/10-1 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2/Lost in Finals (RMC, 3-1) Head Coach: Andrea Hoover Overall Record/Yrs: 202-117 (.633)/10 Record at VWC/Yrs: 202-117 (.633)/10 ODAC Record/Yrs: 73-31 (.702)/10 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Tiffany Barrett (OH) Second Team: None (of one) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 481 - Tiffany Barrett Att. Pct: .268 - Tiffany Barrett Assists: 525 - Emilee Pierson Digs: 407 - Tiffany Barrett Blocks (T-S/A): 75-18/57 - Maddy McMurry Aces: 54 - Tiffany Barrett |
|
2016 Poll Position: 3rd 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-18/4-7 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #8/Lost in Quarterfinals (RMC, 3-0) Head Coach: Beth Ellinger Overall Record/Yrs: 177-120 (.596)/10 Record at LC/Yrs: 177-120 (.596)/10 ODAC Record/Yrs: 66-39 (.629)/10 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Jen Garrett (OH) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 310 - Jennifer Garrett Att. Pct: .190 - Amanda Wrightson Assists: 522 - Lynn Walsh Digs: 258 - Jen Garrett Blocks (T-S/A): 87-18/66 - Amanda Wrightson Aces: 21 - Lynn Walsh |
2016 Poll Position: 1st 2015 Records - Overall/ODAC: 18-15/9-2 2015 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3/Lost in Semifinals (VWC, 3-0) 2015 NCAA Tournament: Lost in 1st Round (Mount Union, 3-0) Head Coach: Bryan Snyder Overall Record/Yrs: 480-154 (.757)/18 Record at WLU/Yrs: 439-129 (.773)/16 ODAC Record/Yrs: 145-12 (.924)/16 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Mackenzie Shand (M) Second Team: None Third Team: Meg Guignon (OH), Katie Volk (L) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 316 - Mackenzie Shand Att. Pct: .371 - Mackenzie Shand Assists: 978 - Elena West Digs: 500 - Katie Volk Blocks (T-S/A): 92-36/56 - Mackenzie Shand Aces: 43 - Katie Volk |