Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2015 fall preseason coaches polls for soccer, volleyball and cross country. North Carolina Wesleyan's men's and women's soccer teams earned 3rd- and 5th-place billings, respectively, with each squad receiving one 1st-place vote. Volleyball was given a 6th-place billing in the league's North Division, while cross country was picked 9th overall.
In men's soccer, 5th-year head coach Frankie Taal's squad tied for 3rd in its poll, picking up 78 total points in the voting. The Bishops are looking to build on a 13-6-1 campaign last season, and Taal hopes to do so with 26 returning letterwinners this fall. Among his returners are seven starters, including All-Conference performers Drew Wiltse and Mario Andrade. Overall, Methodist University was tabbed the preseason favorite with six 1st-place votes.
On the women's side, 9th-year head coach Beverly Biancur's team earned is highest preseason ranking in over a decade thanks to a 10-6-3 breakthrough campaign last season. The Bishops racked up 97 total and were one of four teams to earn a 1st-place tally after returning 17 letterwinners and eight starters this fall. NCWC will likely be led by All-Conference selections Sarah Olsowski in the midfield and Sarah Hovis in goal. At the top of the women's poll was Maryville College with seven 1st-place votes.
In volleyball, 1st-year head coach Vicky Gentile's Bishops earned 52 total points and 19 division points en route to a 6th-place finish in the North and 9th-place selection overall. Gentile hopes to return the Bishops to the top tier of the USA South standings this fall with 12 returners, including six starters and last year's Most Valuable Player Christina Huber. Elsewhere around the league, Maryville and Meredith were picked to win their respective divisions, with the Scots taking the overall poll with nine first-place votes.
Finally, women's cross country enters its second year of competition after a three-year hiatus. Head Coach Troy Patterson's Bishops were tabbed 9th in their poll, but the 2nd-year coach is confident that his Bishops will be competitive on the course, led by returners Rachel Hui and Ariana Paz. Defending champion Meredith was picked to repeat by securing nine 1st-place votes.
Season-opening matches are not far away as both soccer teams and volleyball open up on the road on September 1st. Cross country kicks off its slate with a 3K dual at the University of Mt. Olive on September 5th. To view the complete USA South coaches poll in each sport, please visit www.usasouth.net.