Volleyball chosen sixth in MASCAC preseason poll
The MCLA Volleyball team was selected to finish sixth in the MASCAC preseason poll following a vote of the league's coaches. The Trailblazers return a host of key performers including Margaret Allen at the net.
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Volleyball team was chosen to finish sixth in the 2015 MASCAC preseason poll released by the conference office this afternoon following a vote of the coaches. The Trailblazers finished last season at 15-14 (2-4 MASCAC) and earned their first ever ECAC New England bid.
The Framingham State Rams have been picked to win their second straight MASCAC women's volleyball championship as selected by the seven coaches from around the league.
Earning the top spot, the Rams nabbed five first place votes for 35 points. Last season, the squad finished 6-0 in conference competition. The First Team All-Conference duo of Alycia Rackliffe and Julia Wan return for the team. Last season Rackliffe was first in the conference in hitting percentage (.302) and blocks per set (.80) and second in kills (405). Wan tallied the second most service aces per set (.50) and fifth most kills (291) in the league.
Bridgewater State is slated to finish second with a first place vote for 28 points. The Bears tallied three wins in conference play last season. Charleyne Panner, First Team All-Conference honoree, is back after leading the MASCAC in assists per set with 8.72 and second in total assists at 750. Teammate Hannah Maymon was third in the conference with 364 kills and fourth in kills per set at 2.96 in 2014.
Landing the final first place vote for 26 points is Westfield State. The Owls were 4-2 during league competition in 2014. Reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Victoria Sutphen returns to the hardwood. During her first year with the team, she netted 239 kills, 2.44 kills per set and 40 service aces.
Rounding out the top five is Worcester State and Salem State in fourth and fifth, respectively. The Lancers earned 25 points while the Vikings claimed 15 points. Worcester State was 5-1 last season with help from MASCAC Player of the Year Alyssa Jasper, who was first in the conference in kills per set (4.37) and kills (502). Salem State returns All-Conference outside hitter Emily Peay, who finished 2014 with a .282 hitting percentage, 3.39 kills per set and 21 solo blocks.
Closing out the 2015 poll is MCLA with 12 points and Massachusetts Maritime with six points in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Trailblazers had two wins in league play last season and bring back Rachel Mills, who led the squad with 194 kills while teammate Margaret Allen tallied 46 service aces. For the Buccaneers, Charleen Klangos returns for new head coach Melanie Appleman. During the 2014 season, Klangos had 65 kills and 22 service aces.
The MASCAC volleyball teams are back on the hardwood the week of September 1 with non-conference action as MCLA battles Skidmore.