Volleyball Picked Second in PSAC Southwest Division Preseason Poll

Lock Haven, PA

FULL PSAC RELEASE

Head Coach Justin Haupt's Pitt-Johnstown women's volleyball team, coming off of its sixth consecutive conference tournament berth, has been pick to finish second in the newly-aligned PSAC Southwest Division when the 2019 preseason coach's poll was released on Monday.

East Stroudsburg, Gannon, Seton Hill and Shippensburg were tabbed to win their respective divisions.

With the addition of Shepherd to the PSAC, the sport of volleyball restructured their divisions. The Central Division will consist of East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Bloomsburg and Lock Haven. The Northwest Division will be the five-team division of Gannon, Clarion, Edinboro, Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock. The Southwest Division boasts Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown, California (PA) and IUP. The Southeast Division will consist of Shippensburg, Shepherd, Millersville and West Chester.

The four division winners will earn an automatic bid to the PSAC Volleyball Championship while the next four best records will earn at-large spots.

Pitt-Johnstown, which received two first-place votes, returns 11 letter-winners from a year ago and will be led by senior outside hitter Noelle Carota (343 kills, 3.34 kills per set), and senior middle hitters Caitlin Vrabel (281 kills, 68 blocks, 38 aces, 3.10 points per set) and Anna Johns (151 kills, 119 blocks, 2.03 kills per set). In addition, the Mountain Cats also welcome back junior setter J.C. Longeville, who collected 1,024 set assists in 2018.

However, Pitt-Johnstown must replace All-PSAC and All-Atlantic Region Performer Maura Brehl, who paced the team in kills (430), Digs (369), and points per set (4.12).

SOUTHWEST (# of 1st place votes)
1) Seton Hill (15)
2) Pitt-Johnstown (2)
3) California (PA)
4) IUP

CENTRAL
1) East Stroudsburg (15)
2) Kutztown (2)
3) Bloomsburg
4) Lock Haven

NORTHWEST
1) Gannon (16)
2) Clarion (1)
3) Edinboro
4) Mercyhurst
5) Slippery Rock

SOUTHEAST
1) Shippensburg (14)
2) Shepherd (3)
3) Millersville
4) West Chester

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#23 Maura Brehl: OH; 5' 8"; Senior

#17 Noelle Carota: OH; 5' 11"; Junior

#4 Anna Johns: MH; 5' 11"; Junior

#2 J.C. Longeville: S; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#16 Caitlin Vrabel: MH; 6' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#23 Maura Brehl
: 5' 8"; Senior
: OH

#17 Noelle Carota
: 5' 11"; Junior
: OH

#4 Anna Johns
: 5' 11"; Junior
: MH

#2 J.C. Longeville
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: S

#16 Caitlin Vrabel
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MH