Conference Head Coaches Select Preseason Poll and All-Conference Team
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Samford and College of Charleston were selected by the Southern Conference coaches to win the North and South Divisions, respectively, as announced by the conference office today. This marks the second consecutive year the coaches have selected these two teams as the preseason favorites. The coaches also selected the members of the preseason all-conference team.
The Bulldogs, who gathered nine first-place votes and 65 points overall, lost in last season's tournament semifinals to the eventual champion College of Charleston. Samford seeks its third straight division title. The Bulldogs return all but one member from last year's roster, which includes three-year starter and preseason all-conference Hillary Fountain and sophomore Allie Bettinger, a member of the 2009 All-Freshman team.
Elon was picked to finished second in the North. The Phoenix collected 52 total votes, including one first-place vote. Appalachian State, who was slotted for third in the division, earned the final two first-place votes (50 total points) and returns nine members from last season team, which finished second its division. UNCG (35) was selected to finished fourth in the division, followed by Chattanooga (27) and Western Carolina (17).
The 2009 tournament champions College of Charleston were tabbed by the coaches to win the South Division with seven first-place votes and received a total of 62 points. The Cougars placed three members on the preseason all-conference team with seniors Cole Dawley and Ginny Phillips and junior Elyse Chubb. The three representatives are the most from any team in the SoCon. Dawley received the nine of the 12 first-place votes for the preseason team, and earned the most total votes out of any player with 79.
Furman received four first-place votes and was picked to finished second in the South with 58 total points. The Paladins return nine players from last year's team that swept through the Southern Conference regular season with a 16-0 perfect conference record. Furman also boasts two players on the preseason all-conference team with sophomore Caroline Adams and junior Kelly Kirby.
Georgia Southern (48 points) grabs the third slot in the division and claimed the other first-place vote. The Eagles return 11 players including junior outside hitter Bethany Sanford and sophomore setter Kate Van Dyke, both earning preseason All-SoCon honors.
Davidson enters the season picked to finished fourth in the division with 36 points. The Wildcats, who look to improve on last year's 6-10 conference record, are led by their senior preseason all-conference member Sarabeth Peele. Wofford (24) and the Citadel (18) round out the rest of the division.
The 2010 season kicks off Friday, August 27 with many teams taking the court in preseason tournaments. Conference play begins Tuesday, September 21.
Notes: Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team or players in the preseason poll and all-conference selections. The preseason all-conference team is a eight-member team, but due to a tie in the balloting, nine members were selected.
Southern Conference Preseason Poll
School (#1 Votes) Total Points
North
1. Samford (9) 65
2. Elon (1) 52
3. Appalachian State (2) 50
4. UNCG 35
5. Chattanooga 27
6. Western Carolina 17
South
1. College of Charleston (7) 62
2. Furman (4) 58
3. Georgia Southern (1) 48
4. Davidson 36
5. Wofford 24
6. The Citadel 18
Preseason All-Southern Conference
Name School Position
Cole Dawley College of Charleston S
Caroline Adams Furman MB
Bethany Sanford Georgia Southern OH
Sarabeth Peele Davidson OH
Elyse Chubb College of Charleston MB
Kelly Kirby Furman RS
Kate Van Dyke Georgia Southern S
Hillary Fountain Samford S
Ginny Phillips College of Charleston RS