Bryan Volleyball ranked fifth in preseason conference poll.

The women's volleyball team is ranked fifth in the preseason poll, behind King College, UVA-Wise, Union, and Brevard. The Appalachian Conference coaches serve as pollsters for the poll. Bryan has a reputation for finishing in the top half of the conference. According to the poll, the race appears to be for the 3rd through 5th place positions. Both Bryan and Union have "unknown" elements of new coaches, and Coach Sayles hopes this will give our team an element of surprise during the season.

With preseason camp week almost complete, the team looks sound in every position. All-conference setter and team captain Randi Mellon returns to lead the Lady Lions. Other key returners are Rebecca Rusch (OH), Abby Humphrey (MB), and Christine Pratt (Libero). Seniors Kim Barlow and Catherine Strode return after a year away from the program. Both will fill the positions lost when All-Region MB Anna Rusch and OH Alyssa Stoneberger graduated. Rusch and Stoneberger will both return on the bench as Assistant Coaches for this season. Both Barlow and Strode should fit fine in the void. Barlow started as a sophomore, and Strode saw a lot of time during her sophomore year as well. Freshman Kathryn Rawley (S/OH/Libero) leads a competitive group of freshman, and fellow freshman Christy Maraman (Opposite) expects to see a lot of playing time as well. Freshmen Laura Dickey (MB/Opposite), Leah White (Opposite), Jackie Holubz (Libero/DS) and Junior Lauren Goodge give the team added depth. The heart, competitive spirit, and chemistry of this team makes the team the dark horse in conference this year, in the mind of Coach Sayles. Expect some exciting matches on our court this season!

Upcoming matches:

At Union College: Sept. 4, 2:00

VIRGINIA INTERMONT COLLEGE: HOME, SEPTEMBER 10, 7:00

KING COLLEGE: HOME, SEPTEMBER 11, 10:30 A.M.

MILLIGAN COLLEGE: HOME, SEPTEMBER 11, 3:30 P.M.