TOWSON, MD- The Juniata College women's volleyball team was the unanimous pick to win the Landmark Conference Championship again this fall. In the preseason poll released on Thursday, the Eagles received seven first place votes for 70 points. Susquehanna University earned the second spot in the poll with 52 points and the remaining first place vote. Catholic University was picked third with 31 points and Elizabethtown College was a close fourth with 30 points.
The University of Scranton was picked fifth in the poll with 27 points while Moravian College was picked sixth with 25 points. Goucher College earned the seventh spot with 14 points and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy wrapped up the poll in eighth with seven points.
Last season, the Eagles qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the 33rd consecutive year. Juniata spent eight weeks in the top 10 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national poll and finished the season #14. The team earned an overall 31-5 record, claimed its seventh consecutive Landmark Conference title, and completed the program's 33rd 30-win season – the first since 2010.
Juniata enters the 2014 campaign ranked #14 in the AVCA preseason poll. The Eagles begin their season on August 29th at the SUNY Cortland Invitational when they face Nazareth College at 3 p.m. and SUNY Fredonia at 5 p.m.
2014 Landmark Volleyball Preseason Poll
Rank Institution (First Place) Points
- Juniata (7) 70
- Susquehanna (1) 52
- Catholic 31
- Elizabethtown 30
- Scranton 27
- Moravian 25
- Goucher 14
- USMMA 7