In the newly realigned volleyball divisions for the PSAC, Pitt-Johnstown, Edinboro, West Chester, and Clarion have been selected as the favorites. The four division format is new to the conference this year, previously having been in two divisions... (Full PSAC Release)
Pitt-Johnstown earns the nod over the defending conference champions from Shippensburg. Pitt-Johnstown received 14 of a possible 16 first place votes, while Shippensburg received a pair of first place votes. The Lady Cats posted a school-record 27-9 overall record and went 19-3 in conference play last year, the best mark in the league. However, Pitt-Johnstown was eliminated in the semifinals of the 2015 PSAC Tournament and the opening round of regional tournament.
Pitt-Johnstown returns four all-conference players from last year, including the PSAC East Athlete of the Year, Kendall Mahony. In addition to Mahony, Pitt-Johnstown swept every major awards category in all-conference voting in 2015. Devan Orr was named the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, Maura Brehl was named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year, and Joanna Haupt was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year. All of those award winners will be back on the court in 2016.
The layout of the new divisions can be found below.
CENTRAL: Lock Haven, Millersville, Pitt-Johnstown, Shippensburg
NORTHWEST: Edinboro, Gannon, Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock
SOUTHEAST: Cheyney, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, West Chester
SOUTHWEST: California, Clarion, IUP, Seton Hill
The winner of each division will earn a bid to the conference tournament, with four additional teams earning at-large bids. Seeding for the tournament will be based on record in conference mandated matches.
The complete preseason poll can be found below. Coaches were asked to vote for each division. First place votes are in parenthesis.
CENTRAL
1. Pitt-Johnstown (14)
2. Shippensburg (2)
3. Lock Haven
4. Millersville
NORTHWEST
1. Edinboro (11)
2. Gannon (5)
3. Mercyhurst
4. Slippery Rock
SOUTHEAST
1. West Chester (13)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Cheyney
SOUTHWEST
1. Clarion (14)
2. California (2)
3. Seton Hill
4. IUP
