Bryant Volleyball Favorites In Northeast-10 in 2006

Defending Northeast-10 Tournament Champions the Bulldogs of Bryant University are predicted to claim the Northeast-10 Conference volleyball regular season title according to the 2006 Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll.

School (1st place votes)

1. BRYANT (9)

2. Saint Rose (5)

3. Bentley (1)

4. UMass Lowell

5. Le Moyne

6. Franklin Pierce

7. Merrimack

8. Pace

9. Stonehill

10. American Inter'l

11. Southern NH

12. St. Anselm

13. St. Michael's

14. Southern Conn.

15. Assumption

Bryant, the three-time defending Northeast-10 tournament champion, garners nine first place votes, 218 total tallies overall. The Bulldogs, who have earned seven consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, receive the poll's top position for the third year in a row.

The Bulldogs open the 2006 season on Thursday, Aug. 24 at the University of San Diego Invitational with matches against Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday. 

The College of Saint Rose with 207 total points are picked to finish second. The Golden Knights also garnered five first place votes, which helped them edge the Falcons of Bentley College by five total points for the first time ever in the annual poll.

Picking up the final first place vote this year was Bentley, receiving 202 points to place third. In 2005, the Falcons earned their tenth overall Regular Season Title, finishing with a perfect 14-0 record in the league.

The River Hawks of The University of Massachusetts Lowell, the fourth place selection, collected 172 points, while Le Moyne College earned 153 total tallies to round out the top five.

Franklin Pierce College placed sixth in the poll with 148 points, its highest placement since joining the league in 1999.

Picked seventh are the Warriors of Merrimack College with 134 points, followed by the Setters of Pace University who finish eighth with 127 points.