Volleyball MEAC Media Relations

FAMU Picked As Preseason Favorite for MEAC Volleyball Title

Florida A&M, the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion, was picked as the preseason favorite for the third consecutive year to win the 2007 MEAC Volleyball title as voted by the leagues’ Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors.

The Lady Rattlers, who received 21 of 22 first place votes, earned 460 total points. Florida A&M heads into the 2007 season vying for its seventh consecutive MEAC title and tenth overall. The Lady Rattlers currently have a 91-match win streak against MEAC opponents and have advanced to seven NCAA postseason appearances.

Morgan State finished second behind the Rattlers in the preseason poll with one first place vote and 408 total points. The Lady Bears were 9-1 in conference play last season and made their 12 appearance in the MEAC title match.

Rounding out the top five in the preseason poll is Maryland Eastern Shore at third (7-3 MEAC, 19-15 overall), followed by Delaware State (5-5 MEAC, 11-23 overall) and North Carolina A&T (7-3 MEAC, 17-14 overall).

The 2007 MEAC volleyball season begins August 24 with five teams competing in tournaments. North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and Norfolk State will participate in the North Carolina Central Triad Challenge. Howard will compete at the Liberty Invitational. Delaware State will head to Springfield, Missouri to compete in the Missouri State Tournament. Coppin State will travel to Princess Anne, Maryland to take on Maryland Eastern Shore in a non-conference match-up.

Conference play begins on September 15 with Bethune-Cookman hosting Florida A&M and Delaware State traveling to Hampton. Howard and Maryland Eastern Shore will also be in action as well as Norfolk State at South Carolina State.

The 2007 MEAC volleyball season concludes with the MEAC Volleyball Championship, held November 16-17, on the campus of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

For more information on MEAC Volleyball, log onto www.MEACsports.com

2007 MEAC Volleyball Preseason Poll
As voted by MEAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
(First Place Votes in Parentheses)

1. Florida A&M (21).............460
2. Morgan State (1).............408
3. Maryland Eastern Shore.......334
4. Delaware State...............294
5. North Carolina A&T...........278
6. Howard......................248
7. Bethune-Cookman..............230
8. South Carolina State.........168
9. Coppin State.................112
10. Hampton......................80
11. Norfolk State................50