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Men's Volleyball Tabbed Preseason Favorite in NECVA New England Division
JERSEY CITY, NJ (www.necva.org)...Newbury
College has been selected as the 2010 preseason favorite to win the
North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) New England
Division in a vote of the division's nine head coaches.
The Nighthawks received 74 of a possible 81 points and four
first-place votes. Newbury was 24-13 last year and 11-3 in the
league. Second-year head coach Jamie Terenzi returns six starters,
including middle hitter Mark Thomas, a Second-Team All-NECVA
Conference and First-Team All-NECVA New England recipient last
year. Setter Matt Talamantes, a Second-Team All-NECVA New England
pick returns, as do starters Josh Aberly, James Beck, Mike Biuso,
and Max Daley.
Endicott College, which won the division title for the first time
last year, was a close second in the poll with 72 points and three
first-place votes. Coach Tim Byram's Gulls were 22-13 last year and
12-2 within the division. Endicott returns six starters,
highlighted by middle blocker A.J. Witkofsky, who was also a
Second-Team All-NECVA Conference and First-Team All-NECVA New
England in 2009. John Emery, a First-Team All-New England outside
hitter, and Second-Team All-New England setter Ben Foster also
return.
MIT was selected to finish third, receiving 67 points and one
first-place vote. The Engineers were 25-12 last year and 10-4 in
New England. Paul Dill's club returns six starters, including
middle hitter Mike Demyttennaere, a Second-Team All-New England
pick last year.
Elms College was predicted to finish fourth, receiving 54 points,
including one first-place vote. The Blazers were 20-13 last year
and 11-3 in the league. Second-year coach Sheila Gisbrecht returns
two starters
Wentworth Institute of Technology was voted fifth with 45 points.
The Leopards were 9-12 last year (6-8 New England) and return two
starters. Wentworth will be guided by new head coach Rob
Mullowney.
Daniel Webster is slated to finish sixth with 37 points. The
Eagles were 5-13 last year and 4-10 in the league in their first
year since reinstating the program. Coach Braden Zamore has four
starters back.
Lesley University was picked seventh with 22 points. The Lynx were
3-19 last year, 2-12 within the league.
Regis College makes its debut in the NECVA this season. Coach
Jason Conetta's Pride were selected eighth, and received 18
points.
Southern Vermont College was picked ninth with 16 points. The
Mountaineers were 2-16 last year and 0-14 in the league. SVC, led
by first-year coach Carmine Garofalo, returns three starters.
The top two teams in the division will receive automatic berths in
the 16th annual and 2010 NECVA Championship tournament, which will
be held from April 9-11.
RANKSCHOOL (1st place votes)POINTS (out of 81)
1.Newbury (4)74
2.Endicott (3)72
3.MIT (1)67
4.Elms (1)54
5.Wentworth45
6.Daniel Webster37
7.Lesley22
8.Regis18
9.Southern Vermont16
Story provided by NECVA --Ira Thor
