RAMS TABBED THIRD IN CAA COACHES POLL

RICHMOND, Va. – Defending regular season champion Virginia Commonwealth University was picked third in the Colonial Athletic Association Coaches Preseason Volleyball Poll, which was released Monday.

 
The Rams received 68 points, seven behind preseason favorite Delaware and three fewer than defending CAA Tournament Champion George Mason. VCU grabbed one first place vote.

 
William & Mary, Northeastern, James Madison, Towson, Hofstra, UNC Wilmington and Georgia State rounded out the No. 3-10 spots in the poll, respectively.

 
VCU returns three starters, plus sophomore libero Marisa Low (Carlsbad, Calif.) from a team that finished 27-9 a year ago and reached the CAA Championship match, where it fell to George Mason in a five-set thriller.

 
Seniors Mariel Frey (Lititz, Pa.) and All-CAA Third Team pick Kelsie Clegg (Boise, Idaho) leads the Rams, who welcome eight newcomers in 2010 under sixth-year Head Coach James Finley. VCU's talented recruiting class will look to offset the loss of All-CAA First Teamer Michala Kvapilova and two-time All-League selection Ivana Rich.

 
The Rams kick off the 2010 season with the Black & Gold Scrimmage on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The regular season begins when VCU heads to Athens, Ohio, to meet Ohio University on Friday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.