Johnson & Wales Tops GNAC Pre-Season Volleyball Poll

Johnson and Wales University leads the 2010-2011 pre-season poll for women’s volleyball based on the votes of GNAC coaches.  The Wildcats will return this season with aspirations to return to the GNAC Finals after falling short of a title at the hands of Emerson College.

Emerson College defends their title ranked second a mere 3 points behind JWU. Emerson finished up last season strong with a 3-0 victory over Johnson and Wales in the GNAC Finals.  Closely following in the polls is Rivier College at 3^rd with 117, Emmanuel with 110, Norwich 90, Mt. Ida and Simmons tied with 87 in the 6^th spot and finally Lasell with 64 points.

1.      JWU (135)

2.      Emerson (132)

3.      Rivier (117)

4.      Emmanuel (110)

5.      Norwich (90)

6.      Mount Ida (87)

         Simmons (87)

7.      Lasell (64)

1. JWU (135)

The Wildcats finished the 2009 season 11-1 entering the GNAC playoffs, JWU was 23-16 overall. Johnson and Wales lost merely one player to graduation, all around player Constantino. Senior Catherine Bravo will lead the Wildcats after coming off a season where she was named to the New England Women's Volleyball Association All-New England team. Bravo led the Wildcats with 3.22 kills per game while hitting for an impressive .288 percentage. The outside hitter also recorded 2.48 digs and 0.48 digs per game for the Wildcats. Also returning to the young team is senior Nikki Balchunas and junior standout Abbey Reedy, who will help JWU make another run at the GNAC title with the return of nearly a complete starting lineup and a playoff mentality.

2. Emerson (132)

Emerson College dominated the GNAC in 2009 with a 12-0 in conference and 30-7 overall, but lost two seniors to graduation, yet will be followed by a competitive underclass. The ladies of Emerson will start the season with a target on their back as they prepare to defend the GNAC title in 2010 looking to repeat another great season.

Emerson will open their season on 9/4 at the Wheaton Quad tournament VS St. Josephs at 1pm.

3. Rivier (117)

Rivier College will look to regain a spot at the top after being the favorite last year to make a run for the GNAC title.  Rivier went 9-3 in the conference and 21-13 overall, like its competitors they lose two senior starters.  The Raiders will rely on their younger players to develop a mature mentality early in the season to compete for a trip to the GNAC Championship

Raiders look to start the season on 9/3 at 5pm VS Daemen hosted by Springfield College

4. Emmanuel (110)

Emmanuel College will look to improve from last season’s 3rd place ranking to strive of its 4^th GNAC title.  The Saints were able to achieve the record of 10-2 in conference, 18-14 overall.  Emmanuel will rely on its young players in search of its 4^th GNAC title led by their 2009 sophomore All Conference players, Olsen and Stanton.

The Saint will kick off their season at home on 9/7 hosting Roger Williams at 7pm.