CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has released its 2017 Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll for the upcoming season. The Hawks of New Paltz have been chosen by the conference coaches as the first place contenders with 90 points.
Last season, the Hawks posted a conference record of 7-2, which earned them the number two seed in the SUNYAC tournament. The team defeated Oswego in the quarterfinals in three sets in the first round, as well as defeating Oneonta in three sets in the semifinals before falling to Brockport, 3-1, in the tournament championship. In their 2017 campaign, the Hawks plan to continue the success that head coach Matt Giufre has instilled in the program in his 15 seasons at New Paltz.
The conference coaches have selected Brockport as the second place team with a total of 89 points. In their 2016 season, the Golden Eagles posted an impressive overall record of 34-4, as well as a perfect 9-0 record in conference play, earning them the number one seed for the conference tournament. The team defeated Geneseo, 3-1, in the semifinals before ultimately defeating New Paltz in the finals, 3-1, to advance to the NCAA tournament. Under head coach Steve Pike, the Golden Eagles hope to continue the success that the program saw in their 2016 campaign – the deepest run in program history.
In third place are the Geneseo Knights. The Knights made an impressive run in the SUNYAC tournament, defeating Fredonia in three sets in the first round to advance to the semifinals, where they were defeated by conference champions Brockport. The Knights will begin the 2017 season under new head coach Hunter Drews, who served as the programs assistant coach for the 2016 season. Under Drews, the team hopes to further their SUNYAC tournament run and seek the first conference title in program history.
2017 SUNYAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
- New Paltz (90 pts)
- Brockport (89 pts)
- Geneseo (75 pts)
- Fredonia (61 pts)
- Cortland (56 pts)
- Oneonta (54 pts)
- Oswego (50 pts)
- Plattsburgh (35 pts)
- Potsdam (21 pts)
- Buffalo State (18 pts)