VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (July 21, 2010)-The Morgan State volleyball team was picked to finish third in the northern division of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason poll, as voted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
Defending MEAC North champion Maryland Eastern Shore received 20 of the possible 22 first place votes to earn the top nod in the MEAC North Division and earned the overall top preseason selection with a total of 258 points. Nine-time defending MEAC champion Florida A&M, who was slated to win the MEAC Southern Division, received 18 first-place votes for a total of 251 points.
Morgan State, which last season finished in a three-way tie with Howard and Hampton for third-place in the north division, was picked to finish third with 166 points, behind second-place Delaware State (198). Howard (151) was picked fourth, followed by Hampton (148) and Coppin State (113), who were picked fifth and sixth, respectively.
The Lady Bears begin the 2010 campaign in Pittsburgh, Pa., as they take part in the Courtyard Marriott Invitational (Aug. 27-28) co-hosted by Robert Morris and Duquesne. Morgan State will open up against Lehigh and co-host Duquesne on Aug. 27, before closing out the tournament against Montana State and co-host Robert Morris on Aug. 28.
Morgan State's home opener will come against crosstown foe the University of Maryland-Baltimore County on Saturday, Sept. 4, as part of the Battle of Baltimore Tournament at 7 p.m. at Hill Field House.
2010 MEAC Volleyball Preseason Predictions
MEAC North Division
Rk. School Pts.
1. Maryland Eastern Shore (20) 258
2. Delaware State (2) 198
3. Morgan State 166
4. Howard 151
5. Hampton 148
6. Coppin State 113
MEAC South Division
Rk. School Pts.
1. Florida A&M (18) 251
2. Bethune-Cookman (2) 189
3. South Carolina State (2) 186
4. Norfolk State 161
5. North Carolina A&T 143
2010 MEAC Volleyball Preseason Team
Name, Pos., Cl., School, Hometown
Christine Edwards, OH, Jr., Maryland Eastern Shore, Lakewood, Calif.
Gazelle d'Artois, OH, Sr., Howard, Newhall, Calif.
Erica Tajchman, OH, Sr., Delaware State, Omaha, Neb.
Samantha Chukwura, MB, r-Sr., Maryland Eastern Shore, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Bella Jade Romero, S, So., Maryland Eastern Shore, Arlington, Texas
Preseason Player of the Year: Gazelle d'Artois, Howard
