Trojans Tabbed Eighth in SAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Posted: Aug 30, 2016

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Anderson University volleyball team has been predicted to finish eighth in the conference in a vote by the league's coaches, while junior Serena Jackson has been named to the Preseason All-South Atlantic Conference First-Team and junior Marissa Mitter earned Second-Team All-SAC honors, as announced by the conference office Tuesday morning.

After being one of three teams to represent the league in the 2015 NCAA Volleyball Championship, Wingate was picked to win this year's SAC title. The Bulldogs received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and turned in a 28-5 overall record and a 20-2 SAC record a season ago. Wingate picked up nine first-place votes and 119 points from the coaches' panel.

Lenoir-Rhyne notched 111 points to place second in the poll, followed by Lincoln Memorial, which notched 94 points and finished third. The Bears earned an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Volleyball Championship after closing out the season with a win over Wingate in the SAC tournament finals. L-R finished the season at 25-8 overall and 18-4 in SAC action. LMU finished up its 2015 season at 16-14 overall and 12-10 in the league.

Carson-Newman came in at No. 4 in the voting with 81 points, ahead of Tusculum, which picked up 73 points. The Eagles closed out its 2015 season with a 29-8 overall mark and an 18-4 record in the conference. Last season, Carson-Newman reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. The Eagles advanced to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large representative. Tusculum ended its 2015 campaign at 11-17 overall and 8-14 in conference action.

Catawba placed sixth and received 69 points, followed by Queens University of Charlotte in seventh, totaling 65 points. Catawba went 15-15 overall and 12-10 in the conference in 2015. The Royals turned in a 13-16 overall record and an 11-11 record in SAC play.

Following the Trojans in the eighth spot, Newberry accumulated 46 points in the poll, which placed them ninth. The Wolves finished the 2015 season at 12-16 overall and 8-14 in the conference. Mars Hill (33 points), Brevard (30 points) and Coker (15 points) rounded out the list.

Jackson and Mitter, both juniors, earned the preseason accolades following impressive sophomore campaigns. Jackson was 15th in the league and second on the squad with 284 kills a year ago, while ranking seventh in the SAC with a team-high .290 hitting percentage. He Charlotte, N.C., native was also 19th in the SAC with 59 total blocks.

Mitter was 10th in the SAC with a team-best 290 kills last season and paced the Trojans by averaging 3.19 kills per set, which was good enough to place the Redondo Beach, Calif., native sixth in the league. She posted double-figure kills in seven of the final eight contests last season and reached double-figure kills in 13 matches.

The Trojans are set to open the season against Clark Atlanta Friday in the Hughston Clinic Invitational, hosted by Columbus State. First-serve is slated for 4:30 p.m.

2016 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (1st Place Votes) Points

1. Wingate (9) 119

2. Lenoir-Rhyne (3) 111

3. Lincoln Memorial 94

4. Carson-Newman 81

5. Tusculum 73

6. Catawba 69

7. Queens 65

8. Anderson 56

9. Newberry 46

10. Mars Hill 33

11. Brevard 30