R-MC Tabbed Favorites in ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll

R-MC Tabbed Favorites in ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll

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.

2017 ODAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
1. Randolph-Macon College (10) 118 pts.
2. Washington and Lee University (1) 109 pts.
3. Bridgewater College (1) 97 pts.
4. Virginia Wesleyan University 86 pts.
5. Lynchburg College 84 pts.
6. Guilford College 64 pts.
6. Roanoke College 64 pts.
8. Emory & Henry College 60 pts.
9. Shenandoah University 45 pts.
10. Randolph College 30 pts.
11. Eastern Mennonite University 24 pts.
12. Hollins University 11 pts.
   
 

 


 

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
     
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
     
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
     
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
     
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
     
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