Posted: Aug 29, 2017

Bay Path "Wildcats" Volleyball selected 2017 Pre-season #5

Lesley Takes Top Spot in the NECC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll

Aug 28, 2017

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Lesley University took the top spot in the NECC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Lynx collected two first place votes and 43 total points from the conference head coaches.

Lesley earned the top spot as they return two key members from their 2016 squat, seniors Kaylee Deluga and Anni Abbruzzese both earned All-NECC First Team honors last season as they look to end their career on a high note.

The Lynx will be challenged for the top spot by Newbury College. The Nighthawks finished second in the polls by one point, while earning five of the first place votes. Newbury has four members returning from a season ago highlighted by the reigning NECC Defensive Player of the Year, Julia Leggett. The Nighthawks will have to work with out two time NECC Player of the Year, Courtney Banks who finished her career last season.

Third in the polls went to Becker College with 29 points. The Hawks will have three key returners, senior Charlene Landry, junior Kayla Dupree, and sophomore Micaela Rice, to balance out the newcomers on their squad.

Close behind in fourth place, with 26 points, was Elms College. The Blazers return six players from a season ago and hope that their experience can lead them to the NECC playoffs.

Bay Path University finished with 25 points for fifth in the polls. The Wildcats made a strong playoff push in 2016 to make it to the NECC Semifinals. Bay Path returns three of their starters and hopes to build on last seasons success.

Closing out the polls in sixth place was Mitchell College who earned 23 total points, while Southern Vermont College finished in seventh with eight points.

Most NECC teams will begin their seasons with nonconference match ups on Friday, September 1^st. NECC action will begin on Tuesday, October 3^rdwith four league contests.

2017 NECC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll