Wingate University picked to win 2006 SAC Volleyball Title

ROCK HILL, SC - Wingate University, which has made two trips to the NCAA Tournament in the last three years, is the unanimous pick to win the 2006 South Atlantic Conference volleyball title, according to a vote of the league's eight head coaches.

Wingate received all eight first-place votes and 64 total points.

The Bulldogs placed four on the preseason All-Conference volleyball team, which was also announced. Rebecca Brezovec, who led the conference in blocks and was second in hitting percentage and kills, was selected to the first team, as was Molly Kerns, who was second in the league in blocks, and setter Melissa Deluca. Danielle Thompson was selected to the second team.

Presbyterian College, which has won the past three regular season titles and the past two conference tournament championships, is picked to finish second. The Blue Hose received 50 points. First-year coach Christopher Belshe takes over a talented team with three preseason All-Conference selections.

Rachel Lewis, who led the SAC in assists as a freshman last season and was named Freshman of the Year was named to the first team, as was teammate Lauren Mason. Justine Lanchester was a second team selection.

Carson-Newman College, which finished third last season, is picked to finish third. The Lady Eagles placed a pair of players on the first team preseason All-Conference team in Kari Gibson and Kelli Sorensen.

Lenoir-Rhyne College, the 2004 season co-champions, is picked to finish fourth, the spot where the Bears finished last season. Lenoir-Rhyne received 37 total points. Catherine Fulton was named to the preseason All-Conference first team at libero, while Kathryn Phillips was selected to the second team.

Newberry College is the preseason pick to finish in fifth place, receiving 33 points. Cara Coleman was named to the preseason All-SAC second team.

Catawba College received 30 points for sixth place in the poll. The Catawba Indians placed a pair on the preseason All-SAC second team in Andi Henderson and Melissa Griffith.

Tusculum College received 18 points for seventh place.

Mars Hill College rounds out the poll with 12 points. The Lions did place two on the preseason All-Conference second team in libero Tiffany Oreka and Rebekka Brown.

The 2006 volleyball season begins Friday, August 25 with five of the league's teams in action. Lincoln Memorial, the newest member of the South Atlantic Conference, will not be eligible for the conference championship or awards this season.

The Food Lion SAC Tournament will be held at Wingate University on Friday, November 3, with the finals on Saturday, November 4. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

2006 SAC PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL
1. Wingate 64 (8)
2. Presbyterian 50
3. Carson-Newman 44
4. Lenoir-Rhyne 37
5. Newberry 33
6. Catawba 30
7. Tusculum 18
8. Mars Hill 12
(First place votes in parenthesis)

2006 SAC PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
Kari Gibson, Carson-Newman
Kelli Sorensen, Carson-Newman
Rebecca Brezovec, Wingate
Molly Kerns, Wingate
Catherine Fulton, Lenoir-Rhyne (Libero)
Lauren Mason, Presbyterian
Rachel Lewis, Presbyterian
Melissa Deluca, Wingate

SECOND TEAM
Andi Henderson, Catawba
Melissa Griffith, Catawba
Kathryn Phillips, Lenoir-Rhyne
Cara Coleman, Newberry
Tiffany Oreka, Mars Hill (Libero)
Rebekka Brown, Mars Hill
Justine Lanchester, Presbyterian
Danielle Thompson, Wingate