New Paltz Chosen Fourth in Preseason Poll
SUNY New Paltz was chosen to finish fourth in the 2008 Metro Division, in a preseason vote by the division’s 10 head coaches. The Hawks were 22-10 last year and 12-2 in the division, placing second.
Stevens Institute of Technology, the defending North East Collegiate Volleyball Association conference champions, have been voted as the unanimous favorite to win the Division. Stevens, which went 33-7 last year and were 14-0 in the division. The Ducks enter the season with a 55-match Metro Division winning streak.
Ramapo College, which won its third straight ECAC Division III South title last year, placing third in the division, was picked second by the coaches. The Roadrunners remain the last team to defeat Stevens in a divisional match, on March 1, 2003.
Vassar College, which competed as an associate conference member in 2007 and finished 8-15, is one of two new schools to join the Metro Division. The Brewers were voted third by the coaches and also selected as the dark horse in the Metro Division.
New Jersey City University, which reached the finals of the ECAC South tournament for a second consecutive season, was voted fifth by the coaches. NJCU, was fourth in the division last year when the Gothic Knights were 17-13.
The College of Mount Saint Vincent was sixth in the poll, while Bard College was seventh. Polytechnic University was listed eighth, and SUNY Purchase, the other new addition to the league, is ninth. Yeshiva University rounds out the poll in tenth place.
2008 NECVA Metro Division Preseason Poll
- Stevens Tech
- Ramapo
- Vassar
- New Paltz
- New Jersey City University
- Mt. St. Vincent
- Bard
- Polytechnic
- SUNY Purchase
- Yeshiva