Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Despite finishing second in the 2015 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division standings, the Wilmington University was again picked to finish atop the league as the conference office announced the 2016 CACC Volleyball Preseason Poll on Wednesday.
It is the fourth year in a row the Wildcats have been voted atop the South Division at the beginning of the year. The Wildcats are coming off a 23-10 campaign, advancing to the CACC Tournament Semifinals after finishing 15-4 in the CACC.
Eight of the league's 14 head coaches put the Wildcats in the top spot in the South Division, earning 91 total points to lead the group by 13 points. Last season's CACC South Division Regular Season Champion Philadelphia finished second with four first place votes and 78 total points.
Holy Family claimed a first place vote and 70 points for third while Georgian Court rounds out the predicted teams to come out of the South Division for the CACC Tournament with a first place vote and 63 total points.
Chestnut Hill picked up 41 points for fifth followed by USciences (25) and Goldey-Beacom (20) to round out the South Division.
Two-time defending CACC Tournament Champion Post claimed the top spot in the North Division again, picking up nine first place votes and 91 total points to lead the group. Bloomfield claimed the other five first place votes to earn 84 points for second.
Caldwell holds onto third place with 70 points while Dominican rounds out the predicted foursome coming out of the North Division for the postseason with 45 points. Concordia and Felician tied for fifth with 34 points while Nyack rounds out the North Division with 32 points.
The Wildcats begin their season in Melbourne, Florida, on September 2 when they take on Puerto Rico-Mayaguez to kick off the 2016 Panther Invitational Tournament hosted by Florida Tech.
The CACC portion of the schedule begins on September 17 at Felician with the top four teams from each division advancing to the CACC Tournament. The First Round is scheduled for November 15 with the advancing team playing in the CACC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, November 19, hosted by Wilmington University. A champion will be crowned on Sunday, November 20 at the WU Athletics Complex.
AGATE
2016 CACC Volleyball Preseason Poll
North Division:
1. Post University – 91 points (9 first place votes)
2. Bloomfield College – 84 (5)
3. Caldwell University – 70
4. Dominican College – 45
T5. Concordia College – 34
T5. Felician University – 34
7. Nyack College – 32
South Division:
1. Wilmington University – 91 points (8 first place votes)
2. Philadelphia University – 78 (4)
3. Holy Family University – 70 (1)
4. Georgian Court University – 63 (1)
5. Chestnut Hill College – 41
6. University of the Sciences – 25
7. Goldey-Beacom College - 20