Aug. 26, 2008
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ---- The Samford volleyball team was predicted to finish fourth in the North division of the Southern Conference this season, as it was released Monday by the conference office. The polls are voted on by the conference coaches. College of Charleston and UNC Greensboro were picked to win the South and North divisions, respectively.
"The preseason rank is where I expected Samford to fall," Samford head coach Derek Schroeder said. "Votes are tallied by the SoCon coaches and they really know very little about our girls or our program in general. Finishing fourth and going to the Southern Conference Championships in November would be great, but I know the culture in our practice gym right now is determined to accomplish much more."
Senior Ashley Adams was also named preseason all-Conference. She transferred to Samford from Middle Tennessee State to begin law school. The senior Bulldog was Preseason All-Sun Belt Team in 2007 while also being named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, Tournament MVP and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American.
"Ashley is an accomplished player and her past accolades garnered her SoCon Preseason All-Conference," said Schroeder. "In her senior year, I think Ashley is focused on the overall experience which drew her to Samford and a program like ours. Our fans should thoroughly enjoy watching such a dominant player."
Samford moves into the Southern Conference after having its first winning season in Samford history in 2007. The Bulldogs went 16-13 last year, and now begin a new era in the Southern Conference under the tutelage a brand new coaching staff - Derek Schroeder, Jen Gandolph and Kilee Goetz.
The Bulldogs return all but one starter from the 2007 season while welcoming newcomers Adams and freshmen Katie Weber and Shelby Brandon.
College of Charleston, who received 11 first-place votes and 66 overall point, are the defending SoCon Volleyball regular-season and tournament champions and have won four straight tournament championships and seven straight regular season championships. The Cougars return eight members including SoCon Freshman of the Year Cole Dawley.
UNC Greensboro, who received 10 first place votes and 65 overall votes, return 14 players from a tean that went 20-15 during the regular season, but advanced to the SoCon tournament finals before being defeated by CofC, 3-1.
The Bulldogs begin the season this weekend, Aug. 29-30, as they play in the War Eagle Invitational, the first of four preseason tournaments, in Auburn, Ala. Samford's conference slate will kick off Sept. 27, on the road at Davidson.
Southern Conference Preseason Poll
School (#1 Votes) Total Points
North
1. UNC Greensboro (10) 65
2. Appalachian State (1) 53
3. Elon (1) 41
4. Samford 39
5. Chattanooga 32
6. Western Carolina 16
South
1. College of Charleston (11) 66
2. Furman (1) 55
3. Davidson 44
4. Georgia Southern 37
5. Wofford 25
6. The Citadel 19
Preseason All-Southern Conference
Name School Position
Nicole Palazzo Furman MB
Kaitlyn Nortz UNC Greensboro MB
Lara Newberry Chattanooga L
Branagan Fuller UNC Greensboro OH
Emily Sawin College of Charleston OH/RSH
Carla Durham Appalachian State MB
Alison West Furman OH
Cole Dawley College of Charleston S
Ashley Adams Samford OH
Kittery Neale Davidson MB
Catherine Hanners UNC Greensboro L
Sarah Schermerhorn Elon MB
