Men's Volleyball Picked Third In NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The Elms College men's volleyball team was chosen to finish third in the 2011 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Preseason Poll as voted upon by member head coaches.

Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the NECC's head men's volleyball coaches. Five of the nine NECC members sponsor men's volleyball.

The Newbury Nighthawks (23-14, 7-1), 2010 NECC Champions, received all five first-place votes in the 2011 NECC preseason poll. The Nighthawks are led by first year head coach Chris Taylor.

Elms received 29 votes to finish in third place just four votes behind second place Daniel Webster College. In 2011, third-year head coach Sheila Gisbrecht will look to guide her team back to the NECVA tournament for the second time in three seasons. To help achieve this goal, the Blazers return five starters to the court including 2010 NECC Rookie of the Year and Second Team All-NECC selection Michael Martin (Enfield, Conn.).

Elms also returns all-conference first teamer Yonalvy Acosta (Holyoke, Masss.) and Second Team All-NECC selection Stephen Cameron (Newington, Conn.), as well as junior outside/opposite hitter Michael Kleckner (Bethlehem, Pa.) and sophomore middle hitter Wilfrido Fermin (Bronx, N.Y.).

The Blazers' mix of five seasoned returners and a cast of six stellar newcomers sets the stage for what could be a highly successful season in Chicopee, Mass.

2011 NECC Preseason Men's Volleyball Schedule
Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1-Newbury, 50 (5)
2-Daniel Webster, 33
3-Elms, 29
4-Lesley, 19
5-Southern Vermont, 9