BOSTON? University of New Hampshire is the preseason favorite to win its third consecutive America East volleyball championship, according to a vote of the conference's head coaches. The Wildcats received six of a possible seven first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team) and 48 points overall, ahead of Northeastern University (42 points) and University at Albany (38), which each had a first-place vote to their credit.
Complete Poll
Stony Brook University (29) and Binghamton University (21) followed in fourth and fifth respectively, while University of Maine and UMBC tied for the sixth spot with a total of 19 points apiece. University of Hartford rounded out the poll with eight points.
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 (12-2 in America East, 23-12 overall) advanced to the conference championship for the seventh-straight year last season, and won their second America East title in as many years. Head coach Jill Hirschinger, the 2003 America East Coach of the Year, returns four starters and nine letter winners as the Wildcats look to become just the second team in conference history to win three consecutive league crowns. UNH will be led by junior outside hitter Erin Walker. A 2003 all-conference selection, Walker averaged 3.42 kills per game, good enough for second on the team, and led the 'Cats with 54 service aces. Also back for the two-time defending champions are Katie Weidner, a 2003 all-rookie choice, senior co-captain Natasha Otte and Amy Dai, a 2002 all-rookie player that sat out last season with an ACL tear.
Northeastern (10-4, 23-11) returns Larissa Adomat (2.91 kpg), one of the conference's premier middle hitters and an all-conference player in 2003, as well as sophomore Whitney Turner, a 2003 all-rookie pick. The Huskies have graduated three-time Setter of the Year Kristin Ursillo, but head coach Ken Nichols has signed five newcomers that are expected to make an immediate impact.
Albany (9-5, 24-10) is coming off its most successful season in program history as it recorded a school record 24 wins at the Division I level. The Great Danes boast a young, talented core of players, highlighted by juniors Eileen Nicole Rodriguez and Ashlee Reed, both all-conference selections a year ago, as well as sophomores Ashley DeNeal, the 2003 Rookie of the Year, and Blair Buchanan, also an all-rookie pick in her freshman season.
Stony Brook (10-4, 19-13) finished the 2003 regular season as runner-up to UNH, posting its best conference record in its three years in the league. The Seawolves return all-conference setter Julie Zub (11.29 assists per game) who should be one of the league's premier setters in her senior season. SBU also welcomes back senior middle blockers Maria Samilo (2.40 kpg and 0.93 blocks per game) and Danielle MacKnight (1.82 kpg and 0.86 bpg).
Binghamton (5-9, 16-15) completed its first winning season in the programs' three-year Division I history in 2003 and hopes to earn its first-ever bid to the conference championship this year. The Bearcats will be led by a two-time all-conference selection in Anne Crocus at middle blocker, while they also return setter Ashley Meffert, an all-rookie pick a year ago.
Maine (5-9, 14-20) enters the 2004 season under first-year head coach Lynn Theehs looking to get back to its first league championship since the 2001 season. Leah Guidinger (3.26 kpg) and Brittany Howe (.296 hitting percentage), both honorable mention all-conference selections last season, will lead the Black Bears as middle blockers, while all-rookie Brooke Truong returns for her sophomore campaign.
UMBC (3-11, 14-19) head coach Greg Giovanazzi returns five starters for the 2004 season, including the conference's kills leader from a year ago in senior Jocelyn Teoh (4.96 kpg), a 2003 all-conference pick.
Hartford (2-12, 10-20) returns setter Brianne Paulson (10.78 apg) for the upcoming year as the Hawks welcome seven new faces to their roster. Six freshmen and one transfer student-athlete look to work their way into the lineup under head coach Maria Stutsman y Marquez.