Generals with Seven First Place Votes, R-MC and LC with Top Consideration

FOREST, Va. --- Three-time defending conference champion Washington and Lee University sits atop the 2015 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll, having received seven first place votes on the way to 116 total points.  Both Randolph-Macon College and Lynchburg College cracked the 100-point plateau, earning 113 and 110 tallies, respectively. R-MC picked up four first place nods, while LC garnered the remainder.  Virginia Wesleyan College is tight for fourth at 93 points.

ODAC volleyball championship matches have had a distinct familiarity over the past three seasons, with each featuring a Washington and Lee versus Lynchburg showdown.  On all three occasions, the Generals came out on top, including a 3-1 (25-18, 16-25, 25-21, 26-24) triumph at host Randolph-Macon in 2014.  It marked the 15th time W&L hoisted the conference hardware, most of any other ODAC volleyball program.

Washington and Lee continued its season in the NCAA Division III Tournament, but its trip to Wittenberg University in Springfiled, Ohio, didn't go quite as planned.  W&L ran up against a stout University of Mount Union squad, which eliminated the Generals in the first round via a 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-22) tally.

Entering the 2015 season, 11-of-21 All-ODAC honorees return to conference courts.  Randolph-Macon leads the charge with four returners, including reigning ODAC Player of the Year Courtney Lowers.  Emory & Henry College, Virginia Wesleyan College and Washington and Lee University feature a pair each, led by second team outside hitter Tristen Pennington, first team outside Tiffany Barrett and first team middle Mackenzie Shand, respectively.

Several ODAC coaches could reach milestones in the upcoming season.  Both R-MC's Rogers (297) and Roanoke's Blair Trail (287) have 300 career victories in their sites, while VWC's Andrea Hoover (177) and LC's Beth Ellinger (169) move closer to 200 wins with each triumph this season.  Guilford College mentor Emily Gann (94) is in reach of 100 victories.  Although a deep NCAA Tournament run would be needed, W&L head coach Bryan Snyder is 38 wins away from joining the 500-victory club.

The 2015 season begins with non-conference play on Tuesday, September 1.  The first ODAC match is slated for Wednesday, September 9.   If you can't make it to the games, be sure to check the schedules online for live video, audio and statistical links.

Listed below is the complete 2015 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.

2015 Poll Position: 7th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 9-21/4-7 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: N/A Head Coach: Erin Albert Overall Record/Yrs: 62-68 (.477)/4 Record at BC/Yrs: 62-68 (.477)/4 ODAC Record/Yrs: 23-20 (.535)/4 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 276 - Abby Mills   Assists: 873 - Shannon Skellchock   Digs: 264 - Chelsea Owensby   Blocks (T-S/A): 60-19/41 - Carleigh Studtmann   Aces: 31 - Carleigh Studtmann Eagles' Outlook: Bridgewater returns a core group of players heading into the new season. The Eagles will depend heavily on those returners for leadership throughout the 2015 campaign as nine incoming players join their ranks. Despite having a very young squad, head coach Erin Albert has high hopes for the season and believes that her incoming recruiting class adds a lot of depth and tenacity to the program.  Abby Mills and Shannon Skellchock will spearhead the offense, while Carleigh Studtmann and her 60 total blocks from a season ago will attempt to control the net.		2015 Poll Position: 8th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 19-11/6-5 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6/Lost in Quarters (W&L, 3-2) Head Coach: Kara Matthews Overall Record/Yrs: 19-11 (.633)/1 Record at RAND/Yrs: 19-11 (.633)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: 6-5 (.545)/1 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 211 - Alex Mariona   Assists: 71 - Andrea Mewhinney   Digs: 128 - Elisabeth Price   Blocks (T-S/A): 89-18/71 - Marissa McClinton   Aces: 41 - Marissa McClinton WildCats' Outlook: The WildCats will feature a very different dynamic with several key contributors lost to graduation from their record-breaking 2014 squad.  Randolph welcomes a group of eight first-year athletes, some of which will be expected to make an immediate impact.  Right-side Alex Mariona is the top attacker headed back to the Hill City, while Marissa McClinton is presence both at the net and in the service game.  Head coach Kara Matthews has revamped her coaching staff in her second season, adding three new assistants to aid in bringing this group together quickly.
2015 Poll Position: 11th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-21/1-10 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: N/A Head Coach: Carrie Bert Overall Record/Yrs: First Season Record at EMU/Yrs: First Season ODAC Record/Yrs: First Season Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 124 - Janna Williams   Assists: 532 - Jasmine Johnson   Digs: 570 - Katie Miller   Blocks (T-S/A): 19-2/17 - Alexa Weeks   Aces: 29 - Skyler Johnson Royals' Outlook: Former Royals' assistant Carrie Bert steps into the lead chair this season, her first as a collegiate volleyball head coach.  She returns 12 dedicated players and will add several new individuals to the roster.  Senior Libero Katie Miller looks to lead the team with an intense work ethic, drive, and unflappable court presence in what could be a record breaking year for her after picking up 510 digs last season, second in the ODAC.  Owning the role as "defensive menace," EMU will continue that effort to make teams work for every point while working to improve its offensive presence.		2015 Poll Position: 2nd 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 20-11/10-1 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1/Lost in Semis (LC, 3-1) Head Coach: Bill Rogers Overall Record/Yrs: 297-122 (.709)/13 Record at RMC/Yrs: 297-122 (.709)/13 ODAC Record/Yrs: 127-20 (.864)/13 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Courtney Lowers (OH - POY), Samantha Sallade (L)   Second Team: Katie Rossberg (MH)   Third Team: Addie Coooper (OH) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 492 - Courtney Lowers   Assists: 469 - Erin Quinn   Digs: 468 - Samantha Sallade   Blocks (T-S/A): 58-8/50 - Emily Ortiz   Aces: 35 - Courtney Lowers Yellow Jackets' Outlook: Randolph-Macon has reached new levels of success under head coach Bill Rogers, winning three straight titles -- from 2009-11 -- and owning the ODAC's top seed in two of the past three seasons.  Recent history also includes strong play in the NCAA Tournament.  The Yellow Jackets are not short on returning talent, led by reigning ODAC Player of the Year Courtney Lowers. Her 492 last season were just 25 short of the ODAC single-season record. Libero Samantha Sallade joined Lowers on the first team, while Katie Rossberg and Addie Cooper were also tabbed All-ODAC. Emily Ortiz joins Rossberg for a formidable middle duo.  Sitting on 297 victories, Coach Rogers should celebrate 300 in short order with this core of players leading the charge.
2015 Poll Position: 6th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 18-12/6-5 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #7/Lost in Quarters (VWC, 3-1) Head Coach: Devyn Bayes Overall Record/Yrs: 18-12 (.600)/1 Record at EHC/Yrs: 18-12 (.600)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: 6-5 (.545)/1 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Tristen Pennington (OH)   Third Team: Kennady Thomason (MH) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 290 - Hannah Doss   Assists: 92 - Emily Hinshaw   Digs: 382 - Emily Hinshaw   Blocks (T-S/A): 79-22/57 - Kennady Thomason   Aces: 57 - Tristen Pennington Wasps' Outlook: With nine returners and eight freshmen, the E&H squad is looking to build upon some of the success seen last year by adding some new talent to the mix early on. The mentality and competitiveness is there, which makes second-year head coach Devyn Bayes very excited to see where this season could go! The Wasps return two all conference juniors -- Tristen Pennington and Kennady Thomason -- and two sophomores who are ready to step up into bigger roles on our team this year. E&H is a junior-heavy group that has bought into the team's philosophy, which will undoubtedly pay dividends when introducing the eight newcomers to the squad.		2015 Poll Position: 5th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 21-9/7-4 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5/Lost in Quarters (LC, 3-1) Head Coach: Blair Trail Overall Record/Yrs: 287-198 (.592)/16 Record at RC/Yrs: 287-198 (.592)/16 ODAC Record/Yrs: 100-64 (.610) /16 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 248 - Allison White   Assists: 640 - Jessica Block   Digs: 310 - Ryan Hedgpeth   Blocks (T-S/A): 52-3/49 - Logan Graves   Aces: 65 - Jessica Block Maroons' Outlook: Roanoke quickly retooled from 2013 to 2014, aided by the efforts outside hitter Allison White.  Aside from her attacking numbers, she was also solid defensively at the net (40 blocks) and deeper on the court (190 digs).  Defense is where Ryan Hedgpeth excels, as RC's libero patrols the back line.  Jessica Block keeps head coach Blair Trail's offensive humming, while also providing a shot in the arm with her ODAC-leading 65 aces from a season ago. Coach Trail joins R-MC head coach Bill Rogers in the quest for 300 career wins this season.
2015 Poll Position: 10th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 7-18/2-9 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: N/A Head Coach: Emily Gann Overall Record/Yrs: 94-173 (.352)/9 Record at GC/Yrs: 94-173 (.352)/9 ODAC Record/Yrs: 24-69 (.258)/9 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 203 - Kelsey Ruehling   Assists: 467 - Maile Munro   Digs: 229 - Brooke Herr   Blocks (T-S/A): 37-7/32 - Becca Benfield   Aces: 33 - Kelsey Ruehling Quakers' Outlook: Guilford looks to make a move up the ODAC ladder in 2015, armed with several experienced players.  Senior Kelsey Ruehling leads the offense both from the attack and in service, while Brooke Herr roams the back line of the Quakers' defense. Head coach Emily Gann will also look to second year players Taylor Creed and Casey Davis to improve upon solid numbers from their rookie campaigns.  Maile Munro was one of two GC setters to earn floor time last season, and she'll look to crack the 500-helper plateau in her senior campaign.  Coach Gann is one of several ODAC coaches with a victories milestone in reach.  She has 100 wins in her sights.		2015 Poll Position: 9th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 16-14/4-7 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #8/Lost in Quarters (RMC, 3-0) Head Coach: Jaime Terenzi Overall Record/Yrs: 110-141 (.438) /8 Record at SU/Yrs: 79-78 (.503)/5 ODAC Record/Yrs: 13-20 (.393)/3 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 221 - Allie Pieper   Assists: 568 - Rachel Cerretani   Digs: 445 - Brandi Griffith   Blocks (T-S/A): 76-30/46 - Allie Pieper   Aces: 32 - Elizabeth Lamont Hornets' Outlook: Shenandoah will feature a squad that mixes youth with experience as the Hornets look to increase its streak of ODAC tournament appearances to four straight, making each year SU has been a member of the conference. Allie Pieper leads the way at the net, both offensively and defensively, while Rachel Cerretani keeps the attack churning.  Brandi Griffith picked much of what of what got beyond the net with 445 digs. At least four newcomers look to make an impact on head coach Jaime Terenzi's roster, including sophomore transfer Anna Gallup from NCAA Division II Davis & Elkins College.
2015 Poll Position: 12th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 5-24/0-11 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: N/A Head Coach: Kat Lawson Overall Record/Yrs: First Season Record at HU/Yrs: First Season ODAC Record/Yrs: First Season Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 161 - Rikki Martinez   Assists: 627 - Lela Moore   Digs: 470 - Haley Ortiz   Blocks (T-S/A): 45-12/33 - Jordan Persinger   Aces: 23 - Lela Moore Hollins' Outlook: Hollins welcomes former Bridgewater standout Kat Lawson to the sidelines as its new head coach.  She'll rely on Rikki Martinez and Jordan Persinger, who will be looked upon to lead an offense that graduated its' top two hitters.  The duo will have plenty of help by the return of, three year setter, Lela Moore. Moore not only ranked in the top 10 in assists but recorded the third most kills of any primary setter in the ODAC.  Haley Ortiz will once again anchor the back line. Emily Lowther will round out a group that will provide leadership, size, and versatility. After being announced as head coach during the winter, Lawson wasted no time on the recruiting trail.  Six-footer Deja Hadden will provide size in the middle while Jessica Bradbury will give Hollins more versatility and vast experience as a setter.		2015 Poll Position: 4th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 24-10/9-2 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2/Lost in Semis (W&L, 3-2) Head Coach: Andrea Hoover Overall Record/Yrs: 177-107 (.623)/9 Record at VWC/Yrs: 177-107 (.623)/9 ODAC Record/Yrs: 63-30 (.677)/9 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Tiffany Barrett (OH)   Second Team: Marin Crowder (L)   Third Team: Kirstin Sessoms (S) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 372 - Tiffany Barrett   Assists: 919 - Kirstin Sessoms   Digs: 513 - Marin Crowder   Blocks (T-S/A): 46-9/37 - Madelyn McMurry   Aces: 50 - Tiffany Barrett Marlins' Outlook: Virginia Wesleyan continued its rise up the ODAC ranks, earning the second seed in the ODAC tournament.  Three all-conference standouts lead a strong squad looking to further progress, led by first team Tiffany Barrett.  Kirstin Sessoms' 919 assists ranked third in the ODAC, while Marin Crowder led the league with 513 digs.  One spot VWC will need to find a solution is on offense. Barrett led with 372 kills, but her main running mate, Alex Lambert and her 366 kills, have graduated.  Head coach Andrea Cooper has a talent group of freshman looking to do just that.  A repeat of last season's success would result in Coach Hoover securing her 200th career victory.
2015 Poll Position: 3rd 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 19-13/8-3 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4/Lost in Finals (W&L, 3-1) Head Coach: Beth Ellinger Overall Record/Yrs: 169-102 (.624)/9 Record at LC/Yrs: 169-102 (.624)/9 ODAC Record/Yrs: 62-32 (.660)/9 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 213 - Jennifer Garrett   Assists: 335 - Lynn Walsh   Digs: 440 - Sam Page   Blocks (T-S/A): 35-8/27 - Jennifer Garrett   Aces: 30 - Sam Page Hornets' Outlook: In each of the past three seasons, Lynchburg has worked its way to the ODAC title match, only to fall to Washington and Lee University on each occasion.  Head coach Beth Ellinger and her Hornets look to get over that hump in 2015, but will have retool to do so without both of their All-ODAC honorees from a season ago. Jennifer Garrett is the top attacking option, while setter Lynn Walsh will be looked to keep the offense churning along.  Coach Ellinger will look for increased production from Kelly Layne and Mesa Willis.  Sam Page marshals the back line as well as any in the conference, while also providing a boost in service.  Each win for this squad brings Coach Ellinger closer to 200 career victories, from which she stands 31 shy.		2015 Poll Position: 1st 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 27-7/9-2 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3/Champion (LC, 3-1) 2014 NCAA Tournament: Lost in 1st Round (Mount Union, 3-0) Head Coach: Bryan Snyder Overall Record/Yrs: 462-139 (.769)/17 Record at WLU/Yrs: 421-114 (.787)/15 ODAC Record/Yrs: 136-10 (.932)/15 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Mackenzie Shand (MB)   Second Team: Anna Lausberg (OH)   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Kills: 363 - Anna Lausberg   Assists: 214 - Elena West   Digs: 304 - Kasey Cannon   Blocks (T-S/A): 107-37/70 - Mackenzie Shand   Aces: 61 - Jenna Gustafson Generals' Outlook: Three straight ODAC titles have the Generals' and head coach Bryan Snyder excited about the upcoming campaign. Armed with a good mix and experience and youth, W&L looks poised to have more offensive depth than a season ago.  Coach Snyder, who is approaching a lofty 500 career wins, is anxious to see what this squad can do.  He's got leaders in key positions entering the schedule, with ODAC blocks champ Mackenzie Shand and outside hitter Anna Lausberg controlling the net.  Kasey Cannon keeps the backline defense organized.  W&L has hoisted the ODAC hardware 15 times, more than any other squad in league history.