Emory, Washington, and defending UAA champion Chicago are all ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll with the Eagles receiving three-first place votes.
Emory, which reached the Final Four last season, is ranked second in the preseason poll. Washington is ranked 11th and Chicago 17th. NYU also received votes. Five UAA teams qualified for the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship in 2013.
From Emory University Athletics
When the Emory volleyball squad hits the court on Monday (Aug. 18) for its first practices of the 2014 campaign, it will find itself as the No. 2-ranked team in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Top 25 Preseason Poll.
Head Coach Jenny McDowell enters her 19th season at the helm of the program with a total of 14 letterwinners back in the fold from last year's club that fashioned an overall won-lost ledger of 34-5. Along the way, the Eagles captured the program's 18th straight berth to the NCAA D-III Tournament, advancing to the national semifinals.
Junior setter Sydney Miles, a First Team All-America choice for the second straight year after leading the UAA and ranking 22nd nationally in assists (10.17 apg) highlights the returnees, which also includes sophomore middle Jessica Holler, a Second Team All-American after pacing the University Athletic Association and placing 15th nationally with a 1.13 blocks-per-set average. Bolstering the squad's fortunes as well will be the return of the senior tandem of outside hitter Kate Bowman and middle Cat McGrath, both of whom were honorable mention All-Americans in 2013.
"The AVCA Poll is a great tribute to what our team accomplished last year and the experienced players we have returning" McDowell said. "And while we know that we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, I do know our team has worked extremely hard this summer and is ready to make a run at a national championship."