2018 AVCA D-III Preseason Poll
The Emory volleyball team will open the 2018 season as the fifth-ranked Division III program. The Eagles were slotted at that position in the preseason Division III Top 25 poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) earlier today.
Emory was the recipient of one first-place vote and registered a total of 1,307 points. Holding down the No. 1 spot is defending national champion Claremont-Mudd-Scripps with 42 of the 62 first-place votes cast and 1,476 points. Calvin College stands No. 2 spot with 1,418 points while Colorado College (1,400 pts.) and Wittenberg (1,379 pts.) rank third and fourth, respectively.
Emory is scheduled to play seven matches against six squads that are ranked in the Preseason Top 25 Poll. After playing at No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan (Sept. 1) and No. 25 Berry (Sept. 7) at home, the Eagles venture to Claremont, Calif., to battle the No. 1 Athenas of CMS and No. 17 Juniata College on Sept. 14 during the opening day of action of the East/West Challenge. A Sept. 30th date against No. 12 Carnegie Mellon awaits Emory at the University Athletic Association Round Robin I in Waltham, Mass., while October will see the Eagles square off again against Berry (Oct. 9) on the road before matching up against No. 10 Washington University in the UAA Round Robin II in Pittsburgh. In addition to the six nationally-ranked squads on the docket, Emory will square off against 14 programs that participated in the 2017 NCAA D-III Tournament.
A year ago, Emory made its 22nd consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament where it advanced to the quarterfinals of the Championships. The Eagles closed out the campaign with an overall record of 30-7 and a No. 5 national ranking.
Head coach Jenny McDowell enters her 23rd year at the helm of the Emory program with 16 veterans back in the fold from last season. Among the key returnees are junior outside Sara Carr, who claimed First Team All-America honors last season after leading the squad and placing third among University Athletic Association players with a 3.28 kills-per-set average, which saw her lead or share for the team lead in kills on 17 occasions. Junior outside Morgan McKnight will look to continue her role as a consistent offensive force after earning Honorable Mention All-America accolades last season. McKnight tied for the team with 125 sets played and pounded out 2.88 terminations per game, good for the No. 8 spot on the league ladder. Junior libero Elyse Thompson played a key role in the team's success in 2017, setting a program season record with an average of 5.13 digs per set. Tabbed as a Third Team All-American, Thompson totaled nine contests of 20 or more digs including six with 30 or more. Sophomore right side Leah Saunders is looking for a big follow-up season after landing 2017 UAA Rookie of the Year honors. Saunders saw action in 36 contests and averaged 2.60 kills per set, finishing with 17 outings with 10 or more terminations. Senior setter Mady Arles looks to direct the Emory offensive attack after placing fifth on the conference chart in assists average en route to Honorable Mention All-UAA recognition.
The Eagles open their season the weekend of Aug. 31- Sept. 1 when they host the Emory Classic.