UMBC

Senior Jocelyn Teoh led the America East in kills per game last year en route to earning all-conference accolades.

The UMBC Retrievers were selected to finish the 2004 season in a tie for sixth place with the University of Maine in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll released today by the America East Conference. UMBC enters their second season in the America East Conference in 2004 and return five starters from last season, including all-conference performer Jocelyn Teoh, who led the AE in kills per game last year.

University of New Hampshire is the preseason favorite to win its third consecutive America East volleyball championship, according to a vote of the conference's head coaches. The Wildcats received six of a possible seven first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team) and 48 points overall, ahead of Northeastern University (42 points) and University at Albany (38), which each had a first-place vote to their credit.

Stony Brook University (29) and Binghamton University (21) followed in fourth and fifth respectively, while University of Maine and UMBC tied for the sixth spot with a total of 19 points apiece. University of Hartford rounded out the poll with eight points.

The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

The Retrievers will begin their season at Xavier on Sept. 1 before playing in the Bearcat Invitational at the University of Cincinnati from Sept. 3-4. The Retrievers open their home schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 7 against St. France (Pa.) at 7:00 p.m. in RAC Arena.