DC Metro Sports - CAA VOLLEYBALL COACHES TAB DUKES FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL

Written by media relations
Saturday, 16 August 2008
HARRISONBURG, Va., Aug. 14, 2008 – With returning starters at five positions, James Madison University was predicted to place fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association for the 2008 volleyball season according to a preseason vote of the league’s 10 head coaches. Delaware received seven first-place votes and 78 total points as the pick to repeat as CAA champions. Northeastern received the remaining three first-place votes and 62 total points. William & Mary was third with 59 points, followed by JMU (55), VCU (51), Hofstra (45), George Mason (40), Georgia State (28), Towson (23), and UNC Wilmington (9). JMU’s five starters will be led by captain and Third Team All-CAA senior setter Lauren Miles (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Prep), who enters the season as JMU’s career record holder for assists per game and stands third all-time in career assists. Fellow seniors include middle blocker Michelle Johnson (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos), who ranked second in the CAA in attack percentage, and outside hitter Kelsey McNamara (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North). Anchoring the attack will be sophomore Lindsay Callahan (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown), a CAA All-Rookie selection after ranking 10th in the conference in kill average. Also back as a hitter is JMU’s lone junior, Kaitlin McFaddin (Natural Bridge Station, Va./Rockbridge). Head Coach Disa Garner is back for her ninth season with the Dukes and carries a 133-92 record at JMU into the 2008 campaign. She led the Dukes to a 17-13 mark in 2007 with a tie for fifth in the league while reaching the conference semifinals. Two of the highest-achieving players in program history, First Team All-CAA middle blocker Allyson Halls as well as JMU and CAA career digs record holder Jena Pierson, are gone from that squad. However, six newcomers will join nine total returning letterwinners for the 2008 season. Delaware returns five starters, including a pair of all-conference performers in junior libero Stephanie Barry and senior outside hitter Kelly Gibson, from last year’s 31-5 squad that won its first-ever CAA volleyball title,. Barry was the CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year after leading the league with 831 digs in 200 while Gibson was a third-team All-CAA pick. Also returning to the court will be junior Michelle LaLonde, the team’s leader in attack percentage, and sophomore Katie Dennehy, a CAA All-Rookie selection. JMU will open the 2008 season by hosting the JMU/Days Inn Invitational on August 29 and 30 in Sinclair Gymnasium in Godwin Hall. The tournament will also include Murray State, New Hampshire, and Virginia. CAA play begins Sept. 27 at George Mason. 2008 CAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Delaware (7 first-place votes) 78 2. Northeastern (3 first-place votes) 62 3. William & Mary 59 4. James Madison 55 5. VCU 51 6. Hofstra 45 7. George Mason 40 8. Georgia State 28 9. Towson 23 10. UNC Wilmington 9

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