Washington and Lee University
The Washington and Lee volleyball team received 10-of-11 first-place votes as it topped the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll with 120 total points. Virginia Wesleyan received the other first-place vote.
The second through fourth spots in the poll were separated by just four points with Randolph-Macon garnering 98 points, Bridgewater 95 and Virginia Wesleyan 94. Roanoke rounded out the top-five with 76 points.
W&L returns five starters from the 2007 team that went 29-6 overall and 9-1 in the ODAC. Seniors Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXII) and Jessica Ulrich (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg Area), along with junior Rachael Phillips (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Prep) headline the returnees. Maurer and Phillips both earned First Team All-ODAC and First Team All-State accolades, while Phillips was also named First Team All-South Region and Honorable Mention All-American. Ulrich was named First Team All-ODAC.
Phillips and Maurer ranked second and third in the league in kills last season with 396 and 369, respectively. Phillips was also fourth in hitting percentage at .314, while Ulrich sat in seventh at .273.
The Generals will be seeking their eighth-straight ODAC championship when they open the 2008 season by hosting the W&L Invitational on Sept. 5-6. W&L’s first match is scheduled for Sept. 5 at 4:00 pm against Mary Baldwin.
2008 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
1. Washington and Lee 120 (10)
2. Randolph-Macon 98
3. Bridgewater 95
4. Virginia Wesleyan 94 (1)
5. Roanoke 76
6. Lynchburg 71
7. Emory & Henry 60
8. Eastern Mennonite 41
9. Guilford 30
10. Randolph 24
11. Sweet Briar 17
-- GENERALS --
