Volleyball Voted Fourth in ECC Preseason Poll
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 30, 2013) - The LIU Post volleyball team has been chosen to finish fourth by the East Coast Conference's nine coaches in the annual preseason census, released Friday. The Pioneers gathered 52 points and one first-place vote, placing them just behind Roberts Wesleyan's third-place 55-point total.
Defending ECC title-holder Bridgeport was the unanimous favorite in the 2013 ledger. The Purple Knights collected 79 points and one first-place nod. Meanwhile, NCAA East Region finalist NYIT came in at a close second with 71 points and one first-place vote.
League newcomer Daemen and Dowling tied for fifth, amassing 43 points apiece. Molloy (32 points), Queens (20 points) and Mercy (10 points) rounded out the poll.
In 2013, LIU Post returns three of its Top-5 leaders in kills. Middle blocker Makamae Namahoe (Hilo, Hawaii), an All-ECC second-team pick a year ago, led the way for the green and gold, recording 381 kills. Fellow middle blockers Heather Adams (Centerville, Ohio) and Susy Cricchi (Borgovelino, Rieti, Italy) respectively ranked third (298 kills) and fourth (208 kills) on the squad.
Handing out the kills are setters Lulu Centro (Rome, Italy) and Monica Amador (Cedar Park, Texas). Centro dished out 537 assists in 2012. Amador totaled 522 helpers.
Head Coach Shellane Ogoshi and the Pioneers open the new year next Friday (Sept. 6), when they take on Stonehill at the New Haven Tournament in West Haven, Conn. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
2013 ECC Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Bridgeport (Seven First-Place Votes) - 79 Points
2. NYIT (One First-Place Vote) - 71 Points
3. Roberts Wesleyan - 55 Points
4. LIU Post (One First-Place Vote) - 52 Points
5. Daemen - 43 Points
5. Dowling - 43 Points
7. Molloy - 32 Points
8. Queens - 20 Points
9. Mercy - 10 Points