New Haven, Conn. (8/26/12) – Caldwell College (North Division) and Holy Family University (South Division) have been selected as the favorites according to a vote by the volleyball head coaches in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) 2012 Volleyball Preseason Poll, the results of which were announced by conference officials on Friday.

The Cougars, who received a total of 95 points and 11 first-place votes, return seven letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 26-5 overall record, in addition to an 18-1 conference mark en route to the CACC North Division regular-season title.  Caldwell defeated Holy Family 3-1 in the 2011 CACC Volleyball Tournament Final, claiming the crown for the second-consecutive season.  The Cougars were ranked No. 8 in the final NCAA East Regional rankings last season.  Caldwell returns a pair of players that were All-CACC First Team choices in 2011, including Susan McDonough (Saline, Mich.) and Amber Mosher (Flanders, N.J.).

Holy Family was tabbed the top team in the South Division with 94 points and 11 first-place  votes.  The Tigers return six players from last season's team that captured the South Division title with a 25-11 overall record and an 18-1 mark in conference play.  The Tigers return two All-CACC Second Team members in Sarah Ambach (Springboro, Ohio) and Chelsea Keegan (Bucyrus, Ohio).

Dominican checked in second in the North Division with 86 points and three first-place votes.  The Chargers return 11 players from last season's unit and a pair of All-CACC First Team performers in Michelle Fiorvanti (Commack, N.Y.) and Jordyn Fuller* (Keller, Texas).  Dominican placed second in the North Division in the final 2011 CACC standings after posting a 13-6 mark in conference action and an 18-14 overall mark.

Wilmington was slotted second in the South Division with 81 points and three first-place votes.  In 2011, the Wildcats placed second in the South with a 14-5 league record, while finishing 20-10 overall.  The Wildcats are expected to be led by three returning All-CACC members in first team selection Nicole Wiechecki. (Wilmington, Del.) along with second-team choices Brittany Biddle (Claymont, Del.) and Katie Shorter (Pasadena, Md.).

The remaining teams in the North Division of the CACC Volleyball Preseason poll were ranked as follows: Nyack (59 points), Post (55 points), Concordia (40 points), Bloomfield (40 points) and Felician (17 points).

The South Division rankings saw Holy Family and Wilmington followed by Philadelphia (71 points), Chestnut Hill (51 points), Goldey-Beacom (35 points), Georgian Court (34 points) and USciences (20 points).

CACC teams will hit the court to open regular-season play on Thursday, August 30 as two conference teams will be in action.  CACC league play opens on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

2012 CACC Volleyball Preseason Poll

North Division

South Division