VOLLEYBALL SELECTED SIXTH IN ECC PRESEASON POLL

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 26, 2009) - The East Coast Conference released its preseason poll for volleyball on Wednesday, and the league's head coaches have picked Molloy College to finish sixth out of seven teams. The Lions ended the 2008 season with an overall ledger of 9-21 and an ECC mark of 4-12. Dowling College, which will be defending its tournament crown, was chosen to repeat as champions after notching last year's perfect league record of 16-0.

In 2008, sophomore outside hitter/middle hitter Angelica Nicalek (Valley Stream, N.Y.) slammed down a Molloy-best 304 kills. She also recorded 234 digs, 38 blocks (30 BA, 8 BS), 37 assists and 25 aces. Senior setter Kristen Sklarsky (Wantagh, N.Y.) dished 444 assists in addition to registering 135 digs and 29 aces. Senior libero Monika Rodziewicz (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) had 339 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Catherine Russini (Westbury, N.Y.) put down 126 kills, and rejected a team-high 60 blocks (12 BS, 48 BA).

After receiving East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year recognition in 2008, Dowling setter/opposite hitter Maja Potpara (Pljevlja, Montenegro) was selected as this year's ECC Preseason Player of the Year. Last season, Potpara accumulated 749 assists, 348 kills and 243 digs, while earning 78 aces and a .317 attack percentage for the Golden Lions.

Head Coach Kevin Quiambao and his squad begin the 2009 campaign this Saturday when Molloy hosts Le Moyne and Chestnut Hill College in a tri-match at Quealy Gymnasium in Rockville Centre, N.Y. First serve is slated for 11 a.m. with the Molloy/Le Moyne match. If you are unable to attend, you can follow all of the progress via Live Stats at http://livestats.prestosports.com/molloy.

2009 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll - Volleyball

1. Dowling (6 First-Place Votes)
2. Bridgeport
3. Queens
4. NYIT
5. C.W. Post (1 First-Place Vote)
6. Molloy
7. Mercy