Yellow Jackets with 10 First Place Votes
FOREST, Va. --- Two-time defending ODAC champion Randolph-Macon College opens the season as the favorite to capture a third straight trophy as the Yellow Jackets lead the ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll. R-MC secured 10 first place votes and 118 total points in the annual survey of the league's head coaches. Washington and Lee University sits second with 109 tallies and one top nod, while Bridgewater College rounds out the top three with 97 points and the remaining first place vote.
Randolph-Macon took down Washington and Lee, 3-0, in the 2016 conference title match for the program's fifth overall league crown. Each has come during the tenure of two-time reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Bill Rogers, who also led R-MC to championships in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
The Yellow Jackets were the lone ODAC representative in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight year, and while their stay in the national field wasn't as long compared to a run to the final eight in 2015, R-MC did see some success. The Jackets made the short trip to the University of Mary Washington for early round pod play. They opened with a 3-1 win over Stevenson University behind 36 combined kills from Rebecca McGilvery (14), Mariah Clark (11), and Miranda Hall (11). R-MC's season came to a close following its next match as the host Eagles posted a 3-0 victory.
There will be plenty of familiar faces taking to courts across the ODAC with 15 of the 22 All-ODAC honorees set to return, However, just three of those athletes earned All-ODAC First Team honors a season ago. Randolph-Macon boasts the most returning award winners with all five of its standouts on-board for a repeat bid in Ashland. Reigning ODAC Player of the Year, setter Erin Quinn, is joined by outside hitter Clark and two-time first team libero Samantha Sallade. Outside hitters McGilvery and Hall earned All-ODAC Second and Third Team laurels, respectively.
Bridgewater, Roanoke College, and Washington and Lee feature two honorees each. Libero Macon Frey and middle hitter Carleigh Studtmann --- who doubled as the ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete --- are set to lead the Eagles after earning second team accolades. The Maroons feature second team outside hitter Kylah Blackmore and third team libero Ryan Hedgepeth, while the Generals benefit from second team outside hitter Meg Guignon and third team right side Allison Webb.
The four remaining All-ODAC performers represent four separate schools. Emory & Henry College welcomes back second team outside Ali Singleton, while Guilford College features second team outside Casey Davis. Lynchburg College returns third team outside Mesa Willis, while third team setter Emilee Pierson keeps the Virginia Wesleyan University offense moving.
The 2017 season begins with non-conference play on Friday, September 1. The first ODAC matches are slated for Tuesday, September 12. The season comes to a head with the conference tournament beginning with quarterfinal play at the top four seeds on Wednesday, November 1. The highest remaining team will host the final four on Friday-Saturday, November 3-4. If you can't make it to the matches, be sure to check the schedules online for live video, audio, and/or statistics links.
Listed below is the 2017 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 and Instagram.
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2017 Poll Position: 3rd 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 21-10/7-4 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4/Lost in Semifinals (RMC, 3-0) Head Coach: Erin Albert Overall Record/Yrs: 91-99 (.479)/6 Record at BC/Yrs: 91-99 (.479)/6 ODAC Record/Yrs: 34-31 (.523)/6 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Macon Frey (L), Carleigh Studtmann (MH) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 243 - Carleigh Studtmann Att. Pct: .352 - Carleigh Studtmann Assists: 996 - Jenna Hamra Digs: 514 - Macon Frey Blocks (T-S/A): 61-18/43 - Carleigh Studtmann Aces: 47 - Jenna Hamra |
2017 Poll Position: 10th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 5-22/2-9 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Kara Matthews Overall Record/Yrs: 32-53 (.376)/3 Record at RAND/Yrs: 32-53 (.376)/3 ODAC Record/Yrs: 12-21 (.364)/3 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 292 - Autumn Troxell Att. Pct: .227 - Shelby Bergum Assists: 763 - Brooks Gillerlain Digs: 294 - Autumn Troxell Blocks (T-S/A): 44-10/34 - Shelby Bergum Aces: 30 - Brooks Gillerlain |
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2017 Poll Position: 11th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 10-19/2-9 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Carrie Bert Overall Record/Yrs: 19-35 (.352)/2 Record at EMU/Yrs: 19-35 (.352)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 4-18 (.182)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 214 - Janna Williams Att. Pct: .145 - Jasmine Johnson Assists: 630 - Jasmine Johnson Digs: 415 - Skyler Johnson Blocks (T-S/A): 35-4/31 - Beck Hoskins Aces: 32 - Jasmine Johnson |
2017 Poll Position: 1st 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 24-8/11-0 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1/Champion (def. W&L, 3-0) 2016 NCAA Tournament: 1-1 (def. Stevenson 3-1, lost to Mary Washington 3-0) Head Coach: Bill Rogers Overall Record/Yrs: 348-139 (.715)/15 Record at RMC/Yrs: 348-139 (.715)/15 ODAC Record/Yrs: 139-18 (.885)/15 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Mariah Clark (OH), Erin Quinn (S), Samantha Sallade (L) Second Team: Rebecca McGilbery (OH) Third Team: Miranda Hall (OH) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 390 - Mariah Clark Att. Pct: .265 - Colleen Beaver Assists: 1223 - Erin Quinn Digs: 504 - Samantha Sallade Blocks (T-S/A): 83-11/72 - Colleen Beaver Aces: 42 - Erin Quinn |
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2017 Poll Position: 8th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 16-13/6-5 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6/Lost in Quarterfinals (LC, 3-1) Head Coach: Devyn Bayes Overall Record/Yrs: 47-42 (.528)/3 Record at EHC/Yrs: 47-42 (.528)/3 ODAC Record/Yrs: 17-16 (.515)/3 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Ali Singleton (OH) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 278 - Ali Singleton Att. Pct: .305 - Ali Singleton Assists: 513 - Sam McCauley Digs: 195 - Sam McCauley Blocks (T-S/A): 45-7/38 - Ali Singleton Aces: 35 - Sam McCauley |
2017 Poll Position: T-6th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 17-9/5-6 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #8/Lost in Quarterfinals (RMC, 3-0) Head Coach: Blair Trail Overall Record/Yrs: 326-213 (.605)/18 Record at RC/Yrs: 326-213 (.605)/18 ODAC Record/Yrs: 113-73 (.608) /18 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Kylah Blackmore (OH) Third Team: Ryan Hedgepeth (L) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 247 - Kylah Blackmore Att. Pct: .251 - Logan Graves Assists: 99 - Christen Zammit Digs: 369 - Ryan Hedgepeth Blocks (T-S/A): 39-12/27 - Logan Graves Aces: 21 - Ryan Hedgepeth |
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2017 Poll Position: T-6th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 12-14/6-5 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5/Lost in Quarterfinals (BC, 3-2) Head Coach: Emily Gann Overall Record/Yrs: 113-204 (.356)/11 Record at GC/Yrs: 113-204 (.356)/11 ODAC Record/Yrs: 32-83 (.278)/11 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Casey Davis (OH) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 283 - Casey Davis Att. Pct: .277 - Jessica Sheek Assists: 804 - Tina Eucker Digs: 461 - Christian Ritter Blocks (T-S/A): 48-8/40 - Jessica Sheek Aces: 39 - Tina Eucker |
2017 Poll Position: 9th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 13-16/4-7 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Jaime Terenzi Overall Record/Yrs: 141-167 (.458) /10 Record at SU/Yrs: 110-104 (.514)/7 ODAC Record/Yrs: 24-31 (.436)/5 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 237 - Caylin Harris Att. Pct: .224 - Caylin Harris Assists: 15 - Caylin Harris Digs: 312 - Nicole Shannon Blocks (T-S/A): 97-40/57 - Emily Cheatwood Aces: 30 - Kaitlyn Kelley |
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2017 Poll Position: 12th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 2-24/0-11 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Kat Lawson Overall Record/Yrs: 6-44 (.120)/2 Record at HU/Yrs: 6-44 (.120)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 0-22 (.000)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 105 - Courtney Chappell Att. Pct: .068 - Ki'Ana Speights Assists: 449 - Casey Mahan Digs: 310 - Torri Jolly Blocks (T-S/A): 59-15/44 - Ki'Ana Speights Aces: 22 - Courtney Chappell |
2017 Poll Position: 4th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 16-15/6-5 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #7/Lost in Quarterfinals (W&L, 3-1) Head Coach: Andrea Hoover Overall Record/Yrs: 218-132 (.623)/11 Record at VWC/Yrs: 218-132 (.623)/11 ODAC Record/Yrs: 79-36 (.687)/11 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: Emilee Pierson (S) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 220 - Amber Matalus Att. Pct: .267 - Amber Matalus Assists: 800 - Emilee Pierson Digs: 431 - Allison Mackley Blocks (T-S/A): 79-11/68 - Dare Wright Aces: 41 - Amber Matalus |
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2017 Poll Position: 5th 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 19-10/8-3 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3/Lost in Semifinals (W&L, 3-0) Head Coach: Elizabeth Ellinger Overall Record/Yrs: 196-130 (.601)/11 Record at LC/Yrs: 196-130 (.601)/11 ODAC Record/Yrs: 74-42 (.638)/11 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: Mesa Willis (OH) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 192 - Mesa Willis Att. Pct: .191 - Mesa Willis Assists: 605 - Lynn Walsh Digs: 389 - Lauren Stanford Blocks (T-S/A): 79-10/69 - Disa Haugsdahl Aces: 44 - Lauren Stanford |
2017 Poll Position: 2nd 2016 Records - Overall/ODAC: 24-10/9-2 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2/Runner-up (RMC, 3-0) Head Coach: Bryan Snyder Overall Record/Yrs: 504-164 (.754)/19 Record at WLU/Yrs: 463-139 (.769)/17 ODAC Record/Yrs: 154-14 (.917)/17 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Meg Guignon OH) Third Team: Allison Webb (RS) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Kills: 361 - Meg Guignon Att. Pct: .355 - Anna Soroka Assists: 652 - Elena West Digs: 348 - Katie Volk Blocks (T-S/A): 64-2/62 - Allison Webb Aces: 54 - Elly Cosgrove |