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News Release

UMBC Volleyball Picked Third in Preseason Poll

8/19/2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—The UMBC volleyball team has been chosen to finish third in the America East Conference standings, according to the annual coaches’ preseason poll, the conference announced Tuesday.

The Retrievers amassed 29 points and one first-place vote to finish behind coaches’ favorite and defending America East champion Albany (33 pts., 4 first-place votes) and New Hampshire (31 pts., 2 votes).  Binghamton (21), Stony Brook (16), Hartford (9) and Maine (8) rounded out the seven-team poll.

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

After falling in five sets to Albany at the 2006 America East championship match, the Retrievers were picked as the favorite to win in 2007, but were hampered by injuries, including the loss of 2005 Rookie of the Year Sarah Ball. 

Even with a team crippled by injuries, head coach Ian Blanchard propelled UMBC to a 20-12 overall record and 5-7 league record in his third year with the team, marking the first time the Retrievers reached the 20-win plateau since the 1998 season.

The Retrievers open the 2008 campaign Aug. 29-30 at the William and Mary Invitational in Williamsburg, Va. where they will face Appalachian State, South Dakota, Eastern Michigan and the host Tribe.