LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Aug. 23) – After winning three-consecutive NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships, the Vulcans were selected as the preseason favorite in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division, the league office announced on Monday.
The California University of Pennsylvania volleyball team received three of the seven first-place votes in the PSAC West after finishing with a 36-6 overall record and a perfect 19-0 mark in league play.
Clarion was picked to finish second and received two first-place votes. Gannon and Edinboro both received a first-place vote and were ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the poll. Mercyhurst, IUP and Slippery Rock rounded out the preseason standings in the PSAC West.
After advancing to the PSAC Championship in six of the last seven seasons, Lock Haven garnered all seven first-place votes to earn the top spot in the PSAC East preseason poll. West Chester, Shippensburg and Kutztown finished tied for second place last year and are ranked second, third and fourth in the poll. East Stroudsburg and Millersville are tied for fifth, while Cheyney concludes the standings.
The Vulcans return three starters from last season, including junior right-side/middle hitter
Bridget Bielich (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park). In each of her seasons with the program, she has received All-PSAC West honors and was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region squad in 2009.
Under third-year head coach
Stephanie Burner, Cal U opens the year at the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational hosted by Lynn (Fla.) on Sept. 3-4. While in Boca Raton, the Vulcans will face Rollins (Fla.), Colorado-Colorado Spring, No. 16 Lewis and the host Fighting Knights.
PSAC WEST PRESEASON POLL
| Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
2009 Record, PSAC Record |
| 1. |
California (Pa.) (3)^* |
36-6, 19-0 |
| 2. |
Clarion (2) |
26-10, 15-4 |
| 3. |
Gannon (1) |
22-10, 13-6 |
| 4. |
Edinboro (1) |
23-13, 13-6
|
| 5. |
Mercyhurst |
20-13, 11-8
|
| 6. |
Indiana (Pa.) |
17-16, 9-10
|
| 7. |
Slippery Rock |
7-25, 3-14 |
PSAC EAST PRESEASON POLL
| Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
2009 Record, PSAC Record |
| 1. |
Lock Haven (7)^ |
34-6, 17-2 |
| 2. |
West Chester |
23-15, 8-11 |
| 3. |
Shippensburg |
14-18, 8-11 |
| 4. |
Kutztown |
16-12, 8-11 |
| 5t. |
East Stroudsburg |
10-21, 3-16 |
| 5t. |
Millersville |
14-25, 5-12 |
| 7. |
Cheyney |
0-21, 0-17 |
^ - 2009 Divisional Champion; * - 2009 PSAC Champion
