Seahawks picked sixth in TCCC preseason poll

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University volleyball team has been picked sixth in the 2010 The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Seahawks - who received 69 points - return eight student-athletes from last season's squad that went 10-20 (5-5 TCCC) and suffered a first-round playoff defeat at Colby-Sawyer. Senior tri-captain Lisa Zabel (Madison, Conn.) returns after leading the team in assists (421) and service aces (50). Junior tri-captain Julianne Barry (Randolph, Mass.), meanwhile, is the team's leading returner in kills (225) and also posted a conference-high 104 blocks (72 solo). Classmate tri-captain Amy Canino (Hebron, Conn.) averaged 0.50 kills per game in 2009 and looks to expand her role both on and off the court this season.

"Our team has put in a lot of hard work to prepare for this season, both mentally and physically," said Salve Regina head coach Lindsay Marshall, who begins her first season as head coach at SRU after spending the 2009 season as an assistant. "Our incoming freshmen are motivated and strong to help this team get to the next level of the game. I truly believe our team will have a lot of success in conference play this season."

Endicott and Roger Williams each received four first-place votes, but the Gulls took first-place by receiving a total of 11 points to the Hawks 108 points. Western New England was tabbed third with 105 points and the remaining three first-place votes, followed by Colby-Sawyer (90 points), University of New England (72), and the Seahawks. Gordon was next with 55 points, and Regis (Mass.) (35), Wentworth (30), Anna Maria (28), ad Eastern Nazarene (23) closed the poll. Teams received 11 points for every first place vote received, 10 points for second place votes, nine points for third place votes, down to one point for a last place vote.

The Seahawks open their season on Saturday, Sept. 4 when they travel to Eastern Connecticut State for an 11 a.m. contest.