Volleyball Picked to Finish Ninth in Preseason Poll

League Release

Newport News, Va. – With the 2016 volleyball season just days away, the Atlantic 10 has released its' preseason coaches' poll for the campaign, highlighted by the tie for first place honors between Dayton and Saint Louis. The Fordham volleyball team, in its fourth year under Gini Ullery, has been picked to finish ninth, the same spot the Rams ended in last season, the league announced on Tuesday.
 
The Flyers received six first-place votes to the Bilikens' three, but the two schools matched at 83 points apiece. George Washington, receiving one first-place nod, rounds out the top three. Following them are, in order, Rhode Island, Duquesne, VCU, Davidson, George Mason, Fordham, and La Salle.
 
Last season Dayton pipped Saint Louis for its sixth A-10 Championship in the last seven, and 10 in the last 13 seasons, also finishing as the league's regular season champion for the second straight year, with a perfect 14-0 record.
 
The Rams finished the 2015 season with a 8-23 overall record and a 2-12 mark in league play, an improvement in the former by five games, but one less conference win than in 2014. Fordham lost five players from last year's roster but return most of last year's core, featuring a balanced mix of experience and promising underclassmen, plus a large incoming class of four freshmen and one sophomore transfer.
 
Fordham begins its 43^rd season this weekend in New Britain, Conn. with the Blue Devil Classic. Friday night at 7 p.m. the Rams will take on Lehigh before a Saturday doubleheader against Iona at 11 a.m. and the hosts Central Connecticut State at 4 p.m.