University of New Hampshire is the preseason favorite to repeat as the America East volleyball champion, according to a vote of the conference's coaches. The Wildcats received all seven possible first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team) and 49 points overall, ahead of Northeastern University, which had the remaining first-place vote and 44 points.
University at Albany was third with 35 points. America East newcomer UMBC followed with 29 points. Stony Brook University (28), University of Maine (17), University of Hartford (13) and Binghamton University rounding out the poll.
The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
The Wildcats (11-1 in America East, 23-11 overall) advanced to the conference championship for the sixth-straight year last season, and won their first America East title since 1998. Head coach Jill Hirschinger, the 2002 America East Coach of the Year, returns 12 letterwinners, led by America East Player of the Year Alyson Coler (4.41 kpg) and America East Defensive Player of the Year Sasha Scott (3.84 dpg). Also back for the Wildcats are all-conference honorable mention picks Anne Davis (10.13 apg) and Erin Ludwig ( 0.73 bpg).
Northeastern (10-2, 18-15) returns two of the conference's top players in two-time America East Setter of the Year Kristin Ursillo (11.70 apg) and America East Rookie of the Year Larissa Adomat (.360 hitting percentage). Both were all-conference selections. Head coach Ken Nichols has signed five newcomers that are expected to make an immediate impact.
Albany (5-7, 16-15) advanced to the semifinals of the conference championship a season ago and returns the national leader for service aces in Eileen Nicole Rodriguez, who averaged 1.83 aces a game last season. The Great Danes led the nation as a team in aces, averaging 3.42 per game. Rodriguez was named to the all-conference honorable mention team, as was fellow returnee Jill Dombrowksi (11.16 apg). Head coach Kelly Sheffield welcomes six newcomers.
UMBC (7-2, 17-12 Northeast Conference) finished second in the NEC last season and will look to translate that success as a new member of America East. First-year head coach Greg Giovanazzi welcomes back seven letterwinners, six of whom have starting experience, as well as seven newcomers. Jennifer Davis (2.69 kpg), a first-team all-NEC choice a year ago, Jocelyn Teoh (2.80 kpg), a former NEC Newcomer of the Year, and Megan Gross (6.55 apg) are expected to lead the Retrievers.
Stony Brook (7-5, 22-13) advanced to the America East championship match last year, its second season in the conference. Head coach Deb Matejka returns all-conference choice Julie Zub (11.09 apg), as well as Rachel Goldsmith (3.04 kpg) and Danielle McKnight (.295 hitting percentage).
Maine (9-21, 3-9) returns all-conference selection Carmen Gabriel (8.97 apg) and all-rookie pick Leah Guidinger (3.36 kpg). Head coach Sue Medley adds a five-member rookie class.
Hartford (3-9, 14-16) head coach Maria Stutsman y Marquez returns the Hawks' top two hitters in Stephanie Volckers (conference best 5.36 kpg) and Kelly McEathron (3.54 kpg). Volckers was an all-conference choice, while McEathron was an honorable mention selection.
Binghamton (3-9, 10-20) will again rely on all-conference pick and conference blocks leader Anne Crocus (1.55 bpg). Head coach Glen Kiriyama returns five starters and seven letterwinners, while bringing in a class of five.