The Southern Conference announced its volleyball preseason coaches’ poll on Wednesday afternoon and the Mocs were selected to finish ninth.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their respective team or student-athletes in the balloting.
Chattanooga earned 13 points in the voting. Wofford was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 57 points and three first-place votes. Samford was slated to finish second with 56 points and ETSU rounded out the top three with two first-place votes and 45 points.
Head Coach Julie Torbett has brought in five transfers to this year’s team.
Among the transfers are three seniors – Sydney Hall and Natalie Tyson from East Carolina and Nailah Jones from Chicago State. Additionally, Torbett brought in sophomores Halle Olson (FAU) and Elaine Redman (Toledo). Overall, the team is returning 43% of its kills, 88% of assists, 57% of aces, 62% of digs, 56% of blocks and 47% of its total points from last season.
“I don’t put a lot of stock in preseason polls,” said Torbett. “They don’t mean anything. Every team is 0-0 right now and every team in this league has a chance to win. I am excited for the season to get started.”
The Mocs take the court tonight, August 17 at 6:30 to host Kennesaw State in an exhibition inside Maclellan Gym.
2022 Southern Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Wofford (3) 57
2. Samford (3) 56
3. ETSU (2) 45
4. Mercer (1) 40
5. Western Carolina 32
6. UNCG 30
7. The Citadel 29
8. Furman 22
9. Chattanooga 13
() denotes first-place votes
2022 Southern Conference Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Ali Ruffin, The Citadel, So., OH
Annie Karle, Mercer, Gr., OH
Gabriela McHugh, UNCG, Sr., S
Lauren Deaton, Samford, Gr., OH
Kenya McQuirter, Samford, R-Jr., OH
Destinee Dorsey, Western Carolina, Jr., LIB
Merry Gebel, Western Carolina, Gr., OH
Sarah Barham, Wofford, Jr., MB
Emily Hodsdon, Wofford, Jr., S