NEW HAVEN, CT- – Georgian Court University has been selected to win the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference's South Division in the CACC's volleyball preseason coaches poll, released today. Georgian Court, the four-time reigning conference champions, earned 97 points in the poll, including 13 first-place nods. Caldwell College, also with 97 points and 13 first-place selections, is predicted to top the CACC North Division.
The Lions (27-10, 19-0 CACC in 2009) enter the '10 campaign on the brink of history as the squad is just four victories shy of the national record for consecutive conference victories (77) established by West Texas A&M from 9/18/99 to 10/10/03 in the Lone Star Conference. GCU has won 73 straight CACC contests, dating back to October 7, 2006.
Georgian Court's top returnees include redshirt senior Stephanie Rivera, who earned selection to the Daktronics All-East Region and All-CACC First Team in 2009, and sophomore Brandi Arsenault, the 2009 CACC Tournament MVP. Rivera led the team with 78 blocks last year while Arsenault collected 205 kills in her rookie season.
GCU is seeking its fifth consecutive CACC Championship after upending Philadelphia, 3-1, in last season’s title game. The Lions also look to advance to the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament for a fifth straight year.
Georgian Court commences the 2010 season on Thursday, September 2nd when they host the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) at 5:00 PM in the GCU Wellness Center.