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2007 GLIAC Preseason Poll
Sports
Information Department, Dan Teliski, Director
Phone: (814) 871-7418
Date: August 17, 2007
GANNON
VOLLEYBALL PICKED TO FINISH
FOURTH IN GLIAC SOUTH DIVISION
ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon volleyball
team was picked to finish fourth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (GLIAC) South Division, according to the 2007 GLIAC Preseason
Coaches Poll released Friday.
Hillsdale is the preseason favorite to win the GLIAC South Division, receiving
23 points and three of the six first-place votes. Ashland ranked second with
21 points and two first-place votes. Findlay picked up the final first-place
vote and placed third with 19 points. Gannon (10), Wayne State (10), and
Mercyhurst (7) rounded out the South Division predictions.
Grand Valley State, the 2005 NCAA Division II National Champions, was the
top choice in the North Division. The Lakers received 36 points and all six
first-place votes they were eligible for.
The GLIAC proved to be one of the toughest conferences in Division II last
season, sending five teams — Ashland, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Hillsdale,
and Michigan Tech — to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament.
Ashland emerged as the regional champion after winning the GLIAC title one
week earlier.
The GLIAC’s 13 head coaches voted for the division in which they play, but
were not allowed to vote for their own team. The first-place team in the
North Division ballot received six points, while the second-place team received
five points, etc. The first-place team in the South Division received five
points, while the second-place team earned four points, etc.
Gannon begins a new era under first-year head coach Matt Darling, who comes
to Gannon after serving three seasons as an assistant at Division I Auburn
University. Prior to his stay at Auburn, Darling was an assistant for three
seasons at another Division I school Marquette (Wis.) University. Gannon
has missed the GLIAC post-season in three consecutive seasons after participating
in five of the previous six post-seasons, including two GLIAC Final Four
showings and a 2002 title game appearance.
Five players with starting experience return in 2007. Noelle Schad (Coraopolis,
Pa./Montour) leads the returning hitters, posting 227 kills and 241 digs
last season. The senior outside hitter added 24 blocks. The Lady Knights
return starting setter Maire Prybyl (Mars, Pa./North Catholic), who
dished out 754 assists last season as a true freshman. It was the 15th-highest
single-season total in school history.
Junior Ashley Tubbs (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) also reached triple
digits in kills last year with 194. Junior Julienne Moots (Wexford, Pa./North
Allegheny) and senior Alyse Parker (Conneautville, Pa./Linesville)
complete Gannon’s group of returners. Moots had 38 kills and 27 blocks while
starting three matches. Parker started 21 matches, recording 200 digs.
Gannon opens the 2007 season Saturday, August 25 at Clarion University. Game
time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The complete 2007 GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll can be found at http://www.gliac.org/womens/volleyball/news/VB_Cpoll_rel_07.pdf.
Gannon University~University Square ~ Erie, PA 16541-0001
Toll
Free: 1-800-GANNON-U
Sports Press Box E-mail
updated
8/17/07 by: drt
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