SLIAC releases women's volleyball preseason coaches poll
After advancing to the SLIAC Tournament last year for the first time since 2009, the Griffins look to fight their way back after being chosen fifth in the SLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
St. Louis, Mo. - Last season Fontbonne women's volleyball took Griffin fans back to their roots as they finished with an 11-7 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record, the team's first post-season berth since 2009. This year's preseason coaches poll looks to be another thrilling SLIAC Tournament with coaches voting close for the top five standings. In a tight race, coaches think Greenville or Westminster will take the regular-season Championship with Webster not far behind. Greenville pulled six first-place votes, Westminster grabbed three and Webster one.
Spalding picked up the fourth spot with 56 points and Fontbonne the fifth with 51 points.
The Griffins will look to make their mark once again during the 2016 season. Fontbonne returns seven from last year's squad including First-Team All-Conference outside hitter Kersten McDonough. McDonough led the SLIAC in kills (461) and kills per set (3.91). Also returning are senior middle blocker Holly Richter, senior setter Lynsey Wehrenberg (SLIAC All-Tournament Team) and sophomore outside hitter Kristina Eason. Eason was second on the team in kills last season totaling 255. Right-sides Bailey Benes (senior) and Megan McKenzie (sophomore) as well as defensive specialist turned libero for this season Mariana Rogers (senior) are all back for another season.
Fontbonne lost All-Conference libero Maddie Stadler, setter Mandy DeWitt and middle blocker Cassie Dougherty to graduation but have brought in four new student-athletes including freshman middle blocker Emma Seiz from Chatham, Ill./Glenwood.
The Griffins open their season at home on September 1st with a doubleheader. Fontbonne hosts Harris-Stowe State University at 5pm followed by Robert Morris - Springfield at 7pm in the Dunham Student Activity Center.
2016 Preseason Coaches Poll Institution, points, (first-place votes)1. Greenville, 76 (6)
2. Westminster, 74 (3)
3. Webster, 66 (1)
4. Spalding, 56
5. Fontbonne, 51
T6 Principia, 32
T6 MacMurray, 32
8. Iowa Wesleyan, 22
9. Blackburn, 17
10. Eureka, 9
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