Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2016 fall preseason coaches polls for soccer, volleyball, and cross country. North Carolina Wesleyan's men's and women's soccer teams each earned 4th-place billings, while volleyball was predicted to finish 7th in the league's East Division and cross country 11th overall.
In men's soccer, 6th-year head coach Frankie Taal's squad finished 4th in its poll, picking up 72 total points in the voting. The Bishops are looking to build on a 9-9-1 campaign last season, and Taal hopes to do so with 29 returning letterwinners this fall. Among his returners are seven starters, including All-Conference performers Halldor Bjarneyjarson, Olafur Einarsson, Thorfinnur Thorfinnsson, Caetano Viegas, and Drew Wiltse. Overall, Greensboro College and Methodist University were tabbed the preseason favorites with 91 points and four 1st-place votes each.
On the women's side, 10th-year head coach Beverly Biancur's team also earned a 4th-place finish after turning in a 7-9-2 campaign last fall. The Bishops racked up 31 total points in the East Division after returning 26 letterwinners and eight starters this fall. NCWC returns its two leading scorers from last season, senior Logan Bill and junior Julia Rebellon, as well as All-Conference performer Ella Burkhart. At the top of the East Division poll were Meredith College and Methodist University with 46 points and four 1st-place votes each.
In volleyball, 2nd-year head coach Vicky Gentile's Bishops were tabbed 7th in the East Division. Gentile hopes to return the Bishops to the top tier of the USA South standings this fall after returning her entire starting line-up, including last season's MVP and All-Conferencer performer Tori Stewart. Elsewhere around the league, Averett topped the East Division with 47 total points and five 1st-place votes.
Finally, 1st-year head coach Albie Brice takes over a Wesleyan cross country program picked 11th among 13 teams in the poll. Brice is confident that his Bishops will be competitive on the course, led by returners Florencia Sorrentino and Sarah Grossman. Defending champion Meredith College was picked to repeat by securing 11 1st-place votes.
Season-opening matches are not far away as all four teams open up their schedules next week. Women's soccer kicks things off next Thursday, September 1st, at 4:00pm versus Guilford College at Scalf Field. Volleyball opens up on the road later that evening at William Peace, while men's soccer travels to the Roanoke College Invitational next weekend. Cross country is tentatively scheduled to compete at Elon University's 4K Opener on the 1st at 6:00pm.
To view the complete USA South coaches poll in each sport, please visit www.usasouth.net.