Nazareth Voted Preseason Favorite in Women’s Volleyball Poll
ROCHESTER, NY – Heading into the season, the Empire 8 coaches agree that Nazareth College is the team to beat, as the Golden Flyer’s claimed the top spot in the 2013 Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Nazareth received five first-place votes and racked up 44 total points to earn the role of preseason favorite. Stevens Institute of Technology and Ithaca College each gathered one first place nod and tied for second with 38 points in the annual coaches’ survey (full poll results below).
The Golden Flyers saw their success continue in 2012 as they captured a second straight E8 title with a 3-2 win over Stevens Institute of Technology in the conference tournament championship match. Nazareth gained its tenth NCAA tournament berth and ended its season with a 3-1 loss to Clarkson in the first round.
Who’s Back?
Nazareth and reigning Coach of the Year, Cal Wickens, welcomes back Maria Allocco, the only returning first team all-conference honoree. Allocco, was named MVP of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament after leading the Golden Flyers to the championship with wins over Elmira and Stevens. She finished 2012 with a .376 overall hitting percentage and a team-high 339 kills. The Golden Flyers will look to honorable mention outside hitter Chelsea Beecher (184 k, 26 sa, 199 d) for added contributions.
Ithaca looks to rebound from its first sub-.500 record since 2008 with nearly every single player from last year’s team slated to return and bolster a program that has won four volleyball championships. The Bombers will be led by 2012 Rookie of the Year Carly Garone (728 ast, 76 k, 193 d). She registered seven double-doubles on the season in the assist/dig column and averaged 7.74 assists-per-set.
The Ducks return three of their four all-conference honorees from a season ago, but will have to do without Player of the Year Maggie Kowalska. Setter Samantha Gates (1,173 a, 260 d, 79 sa) found her way onto the second team, while outside hitter Mary Caulson and middle hitter Katie Hall were selected to the honorable mention team. Caulson played in 119 sets for the Ducks and recorded 259 digs, 248 kills, 49 aces and 25 total blocks. Hall hit at a team-best .263 clip and was second on the squad with 276 kills.
Elmira College ended the 2012 regular season as the top overall team in the Empire 8 Conference, leading to a third consecutive bid to the conference tournament and a fifth straight trip to the ECAC Championship match. EC went 23-13 last year, the third straight season with 20 or more wins. Despite losing several notable players, the Soaring Eagles return a pair of impact players, including 2012 All-Conference Second Team honoree Taryn Rumsey (457 k, 315 d, 50 sa, 38 blk) and defensive specialist Catherine Miller (371 d, 26 sa).
Hartwick welcomes back a pair of honorable mention selections, including Dana Martin and Hannah Strom. Martin had a career season for the Hawks as she totaled a team-high 281 kills and was third on the team in digs with 173. Strom led the team in service aces with 62, was second in kills with 279, and third in digs with 196.
St. John Fisher College also features the return of two all-conference performers in Megan Miller and Rachael Kline. Miller was named to the Second Team after leading the team in kills with 253 on the year. The freshman averaged 2.64 kills per set, while finishing second on the team with 269 digs and 30 aces. Kline finished first on the team in blocks (83) and second in kills (186) to earn honorable mention.
Alfred welcomes back two-time honorable mention performer (2011 and 2012) in outside hitter Chelsea Hall (220 k, 256 d, 32 sa). The Saxons are looking to improve its win total from a year ago and has a good chance of doing so as the AU roster last season featured only one senior.
Utica will be under new direction this season as Aris Bird takes over the reigns. Bird, who played four years of Division I volleyball at Niagara University, has coached volleyball in different capacities at Granville High School (2008-2011), Herkimer County Community College (2012) and Dolgeville High School (2007-2013).
The Pioneers return Kelle Furno (318 a) and Chelsea Lauria (315 a) who will be looked to lead the offensive sets. One of their primary targets will be junior hitter Madison Bayer (222 k, 209 d, 26 sa, 26 blk).
Houghton Highlights
The 2013 season marks the second year of inclusion for Houghton College as a competing Empire 8 program. The Highlanders are not eligible for post-season play (and therefore were not ranked in the poll) but will complete a full league schedule. However, games against Houghton will not factor into the standings.
Houghton finished 18-14 in its first season as a provisional NCAA Division III member, including a 5-3 record against Empire 8 teams. Laurel Wroblicky (619 d) provided a strong defensive presence from her libero position and earned second team all-conference honors, while honorable mention hitter Hattie Burgher (254 k, 367 d) was a key contributor during her inaugural campaign.
Dates to remember
Empire 8 women’s volleyball fans don’t have long to wait to see their favorite teams in action. The 2013 season officially begins on Friday, August 30 with six teams taking the field for nonconference contests.
This year's playoff schedule features two semifinal matches on Saturday, Nov. 9, and the championship on Sunday, Nov. 10 with the highest seed hosting the tournament.
Follow Online
If you can’t make it out to the game be sure to check if Live Stats are available or better yet the game may be web streamed courtesy of EzStream. Be sure to check out the schedule of streamed events by visiting
empire8.tv. The
Empire 8 scoreboard will have the latest schedule and results as well as media coverage links.
A closer look
For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites or go to the Empire 8 home on the Internet at
www.empire8.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the Empire 8 on
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@Empire8 on Twitter.
2013 Empire 8 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
|
Nazareth College (5 first place votes) |
44 points |
|
Ithaca College (1) |
38 |
|
Stevens Institute of Technology (1) |
38 |
|
Elmira College |
35 |
|
Hartwick College |
26 |
|
St. John Fisher College |
23 |
|
Alfred University |
10 |
|
Utica College |
10 |