Pitt-Johnstown, West Chester, Clarion and Gannon Top PSAC Volleyball Preseason Polls
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- Pitt-Johnstown, Gannon, Clarion and West Chester have been tabbed the favorite in their respective divisions in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll, as voted on the league’s head coaches, the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon.
In the Central, Pitt-Johnstown grabbed 13 first-place votes and return four all-conference players from the 2016 campaign. Senior Devan Orr is 499 digs shy of tying the PSAC record for career digs and is a three-time PSAC Defensive Athlete of the Year. The Lady Cats boasted a 15-3 PSAC mark before falling in the title game to Gannon.
Shippensburg was slotted second while earning three first-place votes. The Raiders are full of youth as they sport only five upperclassmen. SU amassed 26 wins in 2016, the second-most in the league. Coach Leanne Piscotty is one win shy of 300 on her career and will return reigning PSAC Freshman of the Year Samantha Webber.
Millersville and Lock Haven grabbed third and fourth, respectively.
In the Northwest, Gannon swiped the top slot and 13 first-place votes. The Golden Knights return two all-conference performers, including first-team representative Kelsey Ansec. Ansec led the league in kills (381) and was fifth in kills per set (3.53). Coach Matt Darling earned the PSAC Coach of the Year award for the third time in his career while his squad paced the league in hitting percentage (.245) and total blocks (262.5).
Edinboro earned the three first-place votes and boasted the second-best hitting percentage in the league (.219) in 2016. Senior Sydney Trathen will pace the Fighting Scots after finishing ninth in kills (154) and sixth in assists per set (9.49).
Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock completed the poll.
In the Southwest, Clarion earned the No. 1 slot after earning seven first-place votes. The Golden Eagles finished second in assists per set (12.68) and kills per set (13.42). Coach Jennifer Herron is five wins shy of 250 for her career and returns all-conference member Taylor Braunagel.
The California Vulcans swiped four first-place votes and will be led by Seairra Barrett. Barrett earned all-conference accolades after finishing second in hitting percentage (.321). Coach Peter Letourneau’s squad posted 22 wins and advanced to the NCAA DII Volleyball Tournament.
The IUP Crimson Hawks garnered three first-place votes and return all-conference member Natalie Cignetti. Cignetti finished second in the league in kills (446) and kills per set (3.75). IUP grabbed the No. 7 seed and upset Edinboro in the opening round of the PSAC Tournament in 2016.
Seton Hill claimed two first-place votes and the fourth spot in the division. Coach Rick Hall enters his 33rd season at the helm and is sitting on 679 career wins.
In the Southeast, West Chester was the unanimous No. 1 pick after grabbing all 16 first-place votes. The Golden Rams return four all-conference selections, including Nicki Yates. Yates finished second in the league with 687 digs. Teammate Victoria Cruciani tied for second in total blocks with 111.
Kutztown, East Stroudsburg and Cheyney rounded out the poll.
Clarion will be the first PSAC team in action when it opens its schedule on Thursday, Aug. 31. The remainder of the league opens play on either Friday, Sep. 1 or Saturday, Sep. 2.
PSAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Central
1) Pitt-Johnstown (13)
2) Shippensburg (3)
3) Millersville
4) Lock Haven
Northwest
1) Gannon (13)
2) Edinboro (3)
3) Mercyhurst
4) Slippery Rock
Southwest
1) Clarion (7)
2) California (4)
3) IUP (3)
4) Seton Hill (2)
Southeast
1) WCU (16)
2) Kutztown
3) East Stroudsburg
4) Cheyney