Elon: Preseason Volleyball Predictions Released by CAA, Busa Earns Honors

RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association released its 2015 preseason volleyball poll today, Aug. 17. According to a vote by the conference’s head coaches, Elon was predicted to finish eighth as the Phoenix begins its second year in the league. Sophomore Sydney Busa was selected Preseason Honorable Mention after earning CAA All-Rookie accolades last season.

For the third consecutive season, the College of Charleston sits atop the CAA preseason poll with 55 points and four first-place votes followed by James Madison and UNCW both in second with 51 points. The Seahawks received two first-place votes, while JMU earned one.

The Hofstra Pride, the reigning CAA Tournament champion, finished fourth in the voting with 46 points, while Towson was fifth with 39 points and each team claimed a first-place vote.

Delaware (35 points) and Northeastern (21 points) finished sixth and seventh in the voting. William & Mary tied with the Phoenix in eighth with 13 points each.

The Phoenix returns nine players from 2014, including five starters, and welcomes six newcomers to the squad, while head coach Mary Tendler enters her 13th season as the head coach of the maroon and gold.

Elon plays its first match of the season against Washington State on Friday, Aug. 28, in Radford, Va., before returning home for its annual Elon Phoenix Classic that begins on Friday, Sept. 4, in Alumni Gym

CAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. College of Charleston – 55 (4 first-place votes)
2. James Madison – 51 (1)
UNCW – 51
4. Hofstra – 46
5. Towson – 39
6. Delaware – 35
7. Northeastern – 21
8. Elon – 13
William & Mary – 13

2015 CAA Volleyball Preseason Team
Player – School – Pos. – Class – Hometown
Janey Goodman – James Madison – RSH – Jr. – Powhatan, Va.
Katie Hillman – Delaware – OH – Sr. – Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Hannah Klemm – Hofstra – S – Jr. – Berlin, Germany
Melissa Morello – College of Charleston – OH – Sr. – Milwaukee, Wis.
Haley Pa’akaula – Towson – MB/OH – Sr. – Honlulu, Hawaii
Meredith Peacock – UNCW – MH – Sr. – Charlotte, N.C.

2015 Preseason Player of the Year: Meredith Peacock, UNCW

Preseason Honorable Mentions: Brigitte Burcescu, Northeastern, So., OH; Nicole Lott, UNCW, Jr., OH; Jamie Bredahl, Northeastern, Jr., S; Sydney Busa, Elon, So., OH;