Women’s Volleyball Earns First Places Votes and Third Place Preseason Ranking

Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team		Points (1^st place votes)
Lees-McRae		113 (6)
Erskine		112 (3)
King		97 (3)
Belmont Abbey		85
Queens		84
Barton		64
Pfeiffer		58
Limestone		48
Mount Olive		47
North Greenville		41
Coker		24
Converse		19

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King College women's volleyball team proved it is garnering serious attention from its fellow Conference Carolina members with the release of this season's preseason coaches' poll. The Tornado were voted to finish third in the conference and garnered multiple first place votes in the process.

After completing the transition to NCAA Division II from the NCCAA, the Tornado look to continue their success following a 31-12 record and willing their way to the NCCAA national tournament in 2010.

The Tornado will be faced with a steep challenge after losing three NCCAA All-Americans from a season ago. Sophomore Kelsey Griffitts and junior Sarah Van Goethem will be called upon to fill the void on the offensive end after

the duo combined for 597 kills last season. Junior Natalie Brown is expected to be a major contributor as a defensive specialist bringing back 346 digs. Junior Shannon Earwood will resume setting duties after posting over 1,400 assists last season and also contributing 239 digs on the year. Ashley Pittman returns healthy after missing half the season due to a knee injury. She led the team in kills prior to the injury and is expected to return to form.

King received three first place votes as only one of three schools to receive top recognition. Topping the poll was Lees-McRae who edged out Erskine by one point for first place. Lees-McRae earned six first place votes, pushing them over the edge for the top spot. Belmont Abbey (85) and Queens (84) immediate follow King in the poll in fourth and fifth with Barton, Pfeiffer, Limestone, Mount Olive, North Greenville, Coker and Converse following in that order.

King women's volleyball will begin its season with a doubleheader at the Colorado School of the Mines Tournament in Golden, Colo. this weekend. Their first matches are set for Friday, Sept. 2 against Metro State at 11:00 am followed by Southwestern Oklahoma at 5:30 pm.