VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Hampton University volleyball team was picked to finish fifth in the MEAC Northern Division in a preseason poll on announced on Wednesday, July 21 and voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Lady Pirates finished 9-19 overall and 4-6 in the conference in 2009. They missed out qualifying for the MEAC Championships after losing a three-way tiebreaker with Howard and Morgan State. 

Defending MEAC Southern Division and tournament champion Florida A&M and defending MEAC Northern Division champion Maryland-Eastern Shore were each picked to repeat as winners of their respective divisions this season. FAMU received 18 of 22 possible first-place votes, while UMES received 20 such votes.

Hampton wound up with 148 points in the preseason poll.

Howard's outside hitter Gazelle d'Artois was voted Preseason Player of the Year.

The Lady Pirates will open the season on Aug. 27 in the third annual Tiny L. Laster Memorial Tournament against Bryant University at 12 p.m. For more information on Hampton University volleyball, please call Derrick Coles at (757) 727-5906 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.