Volleyball Tabbed 11th in NE10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Stonehill's home opener includes hosting three teams for the Skyhawk Invitational on September 14-15


Poveda finished fourth in the Conference in aces per set, averaging 0.47 for a career high (PHOT BY: Mike Tureski/SportsPix)

2019 NE10 Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

EASTON, Mass. (August 20, 2018) – The Stonehill College volleyball team was picked to finish 11th in the Northeast-10 Conference by the 14 coaches, the league announced Tuesday.

Six points separated the top three teams. Adelphi University, who fell to American International College in a NE10 semifinal match last season, was voted to take home the title receiving seven first-place votes and 159 points. The Yellow Jackets fell close behind the Panthers receiving 156 points and four first-place votes. The University of New Haven, who has taken home nine regular season titles in 11 years, was tabbed third with 153 points and three first-place votes. Southern New Hampshire University (112 points), reigning NE10 Champion Southern Connecticut State University and Saint Anselm College (106 points) rounded out the top six teams.

Stonehill's 2018 regular season ended just shy of playoffs as they finished .500 in both their overall record, 11-11, and their NE10 mark, 7-7.

In his first year at the helm of the Skyhawks, head coach Craig Martin looks to get the team back to playoffs after a one-year hiatus when Stonehill reached the NE10 semifinals and fell to New Haven, 3-2, in 2017.

Stonehill graduated three seniors last year, and welcome five to the class of 2023. Junior Sophia Poveda finished second on the team in kills per set averaging 2.48 for a career high, while sophomore Abby Remick followed her with 2.43 kills per set. Sophomore Lauren Wilke returns as she averaged 9.71 assists per set, to rank fourth in the NE10 last season, bringing the 2018 team to the top of the archives with 11.99 assists per set.


Wilke was a triple threat for the Skyhawks last season, as she was named to the All-Rookie team (PHOT BY: Mike Tureski/SportsPix)

Wilke and Remick were two of the three Skyhawks that were named to NE10 All-Conference teams, as the sophomores received All-Rookie team honors. 

Poveda and senior Rachel Dunlavy led the team in service aces per set, averaging 0.47 and 0.39, respectively, as Poveda was fourth in the NE10. Dunlavy also improved from her sophomore season as she saw a career high 4.25 digs per set to lead the team and rank fifth in the NE10. Sophomore Clare Feeman led the Skyhawks in blocks per set, averaging 0.71 in her first year in the Purple & White.

Stonehill opens its 2019 campaign with a single match against Caldwell University on Friday, September 6 and follows that with a tri-match against Bloomfield College and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 7. Their home opener is on Saturday September 14 when they host the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown to kick off the Skyhawk Invitational, while also welcoming Mercy College and Assumption College that weekend.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.

 

2019 NE10 Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Adelphi University – 159 (7)
2. American International College – 156 (4)
3. University of New Haven – 153 (3)
4. Southern New Hampshire University – 112
5. Southern Connecticut State University – 106
5. Saint Anselm College – 106
7. Pace University – 95
8. Bentley University – 90
9. College of Saint Rose – 78
10. Le Moyne College – 72
11. Stonehill College –71
12. Franklin Pierce University – 35
13. Assumption College – 28
14. Saint Michael's College – 13

(#) – indicates first-place votes