Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra Volleyball team was picked second in the preseason Colonial Athletic Association Coaches Poll, announced today by the conference office.
Hofstra, which received three first place votes, also had junior
Michela Rucli and sophomore
Laura Masciullo honored as both were named to the Preseason All-CAA Team.
Charleston edged Hofstra for the top spot in the poll and was followed by Hofstra, James Madison, Towson, Northeastern, Delaware, UNCW, Elon and William & Mary.
The 2016 CAA Rookie of the Year, along with an All-CAA First Team and CAA All-Rookie honoree, Masciullo returns for her sophomore season after posting 389 kills, 178 digs, 41 blocks and 30 service aces. She led Hofstra in kills, kills per set and service aces and ranked third in digs and six in blocks. A three-time CAA Rookie of the Year honoree last season she was also the CAA Offensive Player of the Week on October 31.
Now in her third season with the Pride, Rucli had an outstanding 2016 campaign as she totaled 265 kills and 119 blocks in earning All-CAA Second Team accolades. She led Hofstra in blocks and attack percentage (.358) and also ranked third in kills. Her hitting percentage was tops in the CAA as well. An all-tournament selection at the HU/SBU Invitational, she was the CAA Offensive Player of the Week on October 3.
Hofstra went 20-10 last season and advanced to the CAA Quarterfinals. It marked the program's third straight season of at least 20 wins, the first time Hofstra has done that since 1998 (21 wins), 1999 (26 wins) and 2000 (23 wins).
Hofstra opens the season on Friday, August 25 when it travels to the Fairfield Inn and Suites Cavalier Classic at the University of Virginia. The Pride will face Virginia on Friday evening before taking on Villanova and Liberty on Saturday.
2017 CAA Volleyball Preseason Poll
Place Team Points
1. College of Charleston (6) 60
2. Hofstra (3) 54
3. James Madison 52
4. Towson 42
5. Northeastern 35
6. Delaware 28
7. UNCW 27
8. Elon 15
9. William & Mary 11
( ) = First-place votes. Coaches cannot vote for their own team.
2017 Preseason All-CAA Volleyball Team
Name School Pos. Cl. Hometown
Taylor Austin James Madison DS/L Sr. Ashburn, Va.
Jocelyn Kuilan Towson RS Jr. Tao Baja, Puerto Rico
Kennedy Madison College of Charleston MB Jr. Evansville, Ind.
Laura Masciullo Hofstra OH So. La Spezia, Italy
Michela Rucli Hofstra MB Jr. Remanzacco, Italy
Kristen Walding Northeastern S Sr. Deer Park, Ill.
2017 Preseason Player of the Year: Jocelyn Kuilan, Towson
Honorable Mention: Allison Beckman, College of Charleston (S);
Maria Bellinger, Delaware (OH);
Sydney Busa, Elon (OH);
Maddy Kline, UNCW (OH);
Krissy Mummey, College of Charleston (MB)
