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