Aug. 17, 2011

LEXINGTON, Kentucky – With their 2011 campaign set to begin in a few short weeks, the University of Massachusetts Boston volleyball squad will start off their new season ranked 19^th in Division III women’s volleyball as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on the 2011 Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The preseason national ranking is the first in program history, following the Beacons 30-5 finish in 2010.  Combined UMass Boston received 150 points, and was the only team from the Little East Conference to be named to the preseason poll.  Defending national champions Calvin College was named the number one team in Division III after receiving 23 of the 24 first place votes.  The only other first place vote went to Emory College, who finished 2010 as national runner-ups.

Last season was a historic one for the Beacons.  Not only did they tie the all-time single season wins mark with 30, but they earned the program’s first NCAA Division III New England Regional title. 

AVCA New England Region Coach of the Year Terry Condon will welcome back a veteran core of players that carried the Beacons to the program’s first national championship tournament appearance.  Now in her seventh season, Condon will look to All-American middle hitter Shannon Thompson to lead this year’s experienced and talented group. 

Last season, Thompson claimed her second All-American honor after a standout sophomore campaign, in which she led the team in kills (494), digs (376), and total blocks (105).  The reigning Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Thompson will once again be at the forefront of the Beacons line-up this season. 

Also returning this season will be first-team all-conference selections Corrine Porter (2010 LEC Rookie of the Year), Cassy Hanneman, and Molly Rattigan. 

Volleyball will begin their new season in Hawaii when they take on the University of Hawaii at Hilo on September 2 and 3.

Fans will be able to listen in to both those matches via audio webcast through the University of Hawaii at Hilo website. 

2011 AVCA Preseason Poll

Rank	School (First-Place Votes)	Total Points	2010 Record	2010 Final Poll
1	Calvin (23)	599	32-4	1
2	Emory (1)	577	36-4	2
3	Washington-St. Louis	552	35-4	3
4	Christopher Newport	511	38-3	5
5	Wittenberg	490	32-3	6
6	Juniata	463	34-6	4
7	Eastern (Pa.)	453	30-5	8
8	Cal Lutheran	428	29-4	13
9	Wisconsin-Platteville	384	33-4	9
10	St. Thomas (Minn.)	357	30-7	7
11	Carthage	346	31-8	14
12	Heidelberg	298	33-6	15
13	Colorado College	273	30-7	16
14	Concordia (Minn.)	254	24-7	20
15	Hope	224	27-5	10
16	St. Olaf	217	31-5	11
17	Southwestern (Texas)	209	32-7	19
18	Whitworth	171	18-7	24
19	UMass-Boston	150	30-5	17
20	Wisconsin-Eau Claire	126	25-10	18
21	NYU	115	38-6	12
22	Puget Sound	109	18-7	NR
23	Occidental	101	25-8	NR
24	Wisconsin-Whitewater	93	28-9	21
25	Chicago	79	30-13	NR

Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:   Wartburg 46; Nebraska Wesleyan 40; Wisconsin-Oshkosh 26; Trinity (Texas) 22; Case Western 17; SUNY Cortland 10; Tufts 10; Stevens 9; Middlebury 6; Randolph Macon 3; SUNY New Paltz 3

Five schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of 29 points.

Dropped Out:   Nebraska Wesleyan (22); Wisconsin-Oshkosh (23); Randolph Macon (25)