3Peat Champion University of Albany Volleyball Chosen 2nd in America East Preseason Coaches' Poll - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Three-time defending champions University at Albany have been chosen second in the 2009 America East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. Binghamton, the 2008 runner-up, garnered four of a possible five first-place votes and a total of 26 points to earn top billing in the poll.

UAlbany earned the remaining two first-place votes and totaled 19 points. New Hampshire finished third with 17 points, while UMBC was close behind in fourth with 16 points. Stony Brook (nine points) and Hartford (five points) rounded out the six-team poll.

The Great Danes posted the first undefeated conference slate by a league team since 2001, going 12-0 in league play with a 23-9 overall record. UAlbany, which has won four of the past five America East championships, returns 2008 setter of the year Brooke Stanley, a junior who led the league in assists with 10.47 per set. Sophomore libero Laurie Gonzalez earned the conference's defensive specialist of the year award after leading the America East with 4.34 digs per set against conference opponents. Second-team honoree Hillary White and all-rookie hitter Kalyn Mostert also return.

The top four teams during the regular season will compete at the 2009 America East Conference Volleyball Championship on either November 20-21 or 21-22. The top seed will host the tournament, with the winner earning an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.