BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. – Looking to turn the tide of the program in its first year in the league, the Davis & Elkins volleyball team was picked eighth in the MEC Preseason Poll for 2019, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.
Behind unanimous preseason favorite Wheeling, a team that has not lost a conference match over the last six seasons, is West Liberty in second place. Urbana and Charleston (W. Va.) are tied for the third spot, with each squad picking up 96 points.
West Virginia State (78), Notre Dame (Ohio) (69) and Fairmont State fill out the five, six and seven spots ahead of Davis & Elkins. Rounding out the preseason poll is Concord (35), West Virginia Wesleyan (23), Frostburg State (23) and Glenville State (14).
Boasting a solid core of returners along with some talented newcomers, the Senators will be challenged with a difficult schedule in 2019. Opening the year in Florida, Davis & Elkins faces four teams that won 20 matches or more last season before hitting the road for a tournament hosted by NCAA Tournament qualifier Cal U on September 13-14.
Fifth-year head coach Kylie Heyne welcomes back senior outside hitter Kaitlyn LaCour, who led the Senators offensively with 3.58 points/set on 297 total kills. LaCour is one of four players returning with 100 or more kills last season, joining senior Raleighanne Weaver (187 kills in 2018), senior Lillie Mueller (151) and sophomore Solei Daniels (132).
Efficient at the net last season, the Senators ranked third in the GMAC in total team blocks (213.0) and blocks/set (2.03) in 2018. On the defensive end, the Senators will fall back on the experience of senior Kelly Smith (457 digs; 4.35 digs/set in 2018) and Lacour (325 digs in 2018).
The MEC Tournament, which will feature the top eight teams in the standings, will be Nov. 21-23 at the site of the tournament's top-seeded team. D&E opens 2019 with a pair of matches on September 6 against West Alabama (10:00 AM) and Embry-Riddle (3:00 PM).
2019 MEC Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Wheeling -- 120 (11)
2. West Liberty -- 103
T3. Urbana -- 96 (1)
T3. Charleston -- 96
5. West Virginia State -- 78
6. Notre Dame -- 69
7. Fairmont State -- 68
8. Davis & Elkins -- 57
9. Concord -- 35
10. West Virginia Wesleyan -- 33
11. Frostburg State -- 23
12. Glenville State --14
