SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Defending champion Roger Williams University has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2011 Commonwealth Coast Conference volleyball championship, it was announced today by Commissioner Gregg M. Kaye. Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the league's head volleyball coaches.

Roger Williams (29-6, 10-0 CCC) garnered six of a possible nine first-place votes in the 2011 CCC preseason poll, while Endicott College (24-16, 9-1 CCC) was selected as the runner up and received the remaining three first-place votes. University of New England (20-12, 6-4) was chosen to finish third by the coaches, with Salve Regina University (12-17, 6-4) and Western New England (10-20, 6-4) picked to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.

Roger Williams enters the season with a solid squad consisting of three All-Conference returners, including first team junior setter Emily Lebowitz, who ranked first in the league in assists per set (9.67). Sophomore middle/outside hitter Krystie Luczynski, who was also a first team selection and the 2010 CCC Rookie of the Year ranked third in hitting percentage (.316) and fourth in average kills a set (2.83) within the CCC. Second team All-CCC junior outside hitter Kelsey Twarog ranked fifth in the league for average kills a set (2.79).

Endicott looks to return with a vengeance with second team all-conference selections senior captains Sarah Allshouse and Elyse Barbour, as well as sophomore outside hitter honorable mention Falyn Torelli. Barbour was ranked sixth in hitting percentage (.265), and in the top ten in the league for average kills a set (2.31). Allshouse led the conference in total assists and ranked third in average assists a set with 1235 and 8.52, respectively. Torelli was a key player on her team in the 2010 season ranking third for the Gulls in total points (378.5) and kills (325).

University of New England welcomes back All-CCC second team pick, junior middle hitter Paige Curran, and honorable mention sophomore setter Maria Kuehl. Curran ranked top five with hitting percentage (.300) and total number of kills (303), while teammate Kuehl was ranked fifth in total assists (761) and average assists per set (6.39).

Salve Regina has two returning all-conference mentions, including first team All-CCC senior middle hitter Julianne Barry and honorable mention sophomore outside hitter Clare Adams. Barry led the league average blocks a set (1.16) and ranked second in hitting percentage (.326). In her rookie year, Adams ranked second for the Seahawks in several statistical categories, including points (99.5), digs (101), and kills (78).

Western New England looks to senior Inna Sergeychik who ranked top five for her team in several categories, including total kills (207), total attacks (678), and total blocks (105). Sophomore standouts Ashley McMullen and Maureen Pollet also return to add to the action. Pollet was ranked fourth on the team in attacks and kills (565, 165), while McMullen followed close behind and was ranked fifth for the Golden Bears in attacks and kills (678, 207).

Gordon College (7-26, 4-6) will feature several young members this year, including Lauren Kranyak (230 kills, 2.45 a set) and Alex Nawoichik (65 blocks, 157 kills a game).

Wentworth Institute of Technology (8-21, 2-8) only graduated one senior from the 2010 team, and looks forward to opening the 2011 season with several veterans, including hitters Julie Bruton (206 Kills, 44.0 blocks, 290.0 points), Julie Rahilly (187 kills, 247.0 points), Michelle Hobbs (149 kills, 192.5 points) and setter Rebecca Williams (544 Assists, 5.44 assists per set).

Eastern Nazarene (3-28, 1-9) is led by senior hitter Kaitlyn Yoder (87 kills, 210 digs). She's joined by sophomores Cayla Clinkscale (75 kills, 76.0 blocks, 91 digs) and Leann Williams (65 kills, 86.0 blocks).

Curry College (2-15) enters the 2011 season as a varsity program and looks to give their conference opponents a  run for their money.

2011 CCC PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL

Teams received nine points for every first place vote received, eight points for second place votes, seven points for third place votes, down to one point for a last place vote. First place votes are shown in parentheses.

(Release Courtesy of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Office)