VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Hampton University Lady Pirate volleyball team has been selected to finish tenth in the race for the 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title as voted by the leagues’ Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors.
Last year’s squad that went a mere 8-19 overall, and just 2-7 in the always tough Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). After a strong spring campaign, the Lady Pirates are looking to bring more victories in the fall and, possibly, the second–ever winning season for Hampton University since arriving at the Division I playing level the back in 1995.
Florida A&M, the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball champion, was picked as the preseason favorite for the third consecutive year.
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.
