ROCK HILL, SC – Presbyterian College, which has captured the past two regular-season South Atlantic Conference volleyball titles, is the favorite once again heading into the 2005 season, according to a vote of the league’s eight head coaches.

Presbyterian received seven first-place votes and 63 total points out of a possible 64.

The Blue Hose placed three on the preseason All-Conference volleyball team, which was also announced. Erin Friday, the 2004 SAC Volleyball Player of the Year, and Jasmin Brown, who led the conference in hitting percentage last year, were both selected to the first team. Lauren Mason was a second team selection.

Lenoir-Rhyne College, which shared the 2004 regular-season title with Presbyterian and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, received the other first-place vote and 49 points to finish second in the poll. Coach Dave Markland, who received the SAC Coach of the Year honor last year, returns three preseason All-Conference picks in Leslie Hinkle on the first team and Lauren McLelland and Kathryn Phillips on the second team, McLelland was the 2004 SAC Freshman of the Year.

Wingate University is picked to finish third with 48 points. The Bulldogs placed four on the preseason All-Conference team including Molly Kerns and Danielle Thompson on the first team. Kerns led the SAC in blocks for the second year in a row last season. Rebecca Brezovec and libero Amanda Siegrist were named to the second team.

Carson-Newman College received 41 points for fourth place. Three Lady Eagles earned preseason All-Conference first team honors in Kari Gibson, Kelli Sorensen and libero Blaire Young, while Melissa Miller was a second team selection.

Catawba College is the pick for fifth place with 28 points. Summer Zuck was a preseason All-Conference second team selection.

Mars Hill College received 26 points for sixth place.

Newberry College, under first-year coach Gylton DaMatta, received 22 points. The Indians placed Cara Coleman on the preseason All-Conference second team.

Tusculum College rounds out the preseason poll.

The 2005 volleyball season begins Friday, August 26 with five of the league’s teams in action. The Food Lion SAC Tournament will be held at Lenoir-Rhyne College on Saturday, November 12 with the finals on Sunday, November 13. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

2005 SAC PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL 
1. Presbyterian      63 (7) 
2. Lenoir-Rhyne      49 (1) 
3. Wingate           48 
4. Carson-Newman     41 
5. Catawba           28 
6. Mars Hill         26 
7. Newberry          22 
8. Tusculum          11 
(First place votes in parenthesis) 

2005 SAC PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Blaire Young, Carson-Newman (libero)
Kari Gibson, Carson-Newman
Kelli Sorensen, Carson-Newman
Leslie Hinkle, Lenoir-Rhyne
Erin Friday, Presbyterian
Jasmin Brown, Presbyterian
Molly Kerns, Wingate
Danielle Thompson, Wingate
SECOND TEAM
Melissa Miller, Carson-Newman
Summer Zuck, Catawba
Lauren McLelland, Lenoir-Rhyne
Kathryn Phillips, Lenoir-Rhyne
Cara Coleman, Newberry
Lauren Mason, Presbyterian
Rebecca Brezovec, Wingate
Amanda Siegrist, Wingate (libero)