RICHMOND, Va. – Senior captain Sydney Busa of the Elon University volleyball team was named a Preseason All-CAA honorable mention Friday afternoon, Aug. 18, by the Colonial Athletic Association.

The honor follows Busa's 2016 Third Team All-CAA honor. It marks the second time in her career she's been named a Preseason All-CAA honorable mention after earning the distinction before the 2015 season. A season ago, Busa played in 30 matches and finished the year with 305 kills, 293 digs, 43 blocks and 31 assists. Her 305 kills placed second on the team and seventh in the CAA while her 2.8 kills per set ranked 10th in the league. Throughout the 2016 season, Busa posted double-digit kills in 17 matches and finished with double-digit digs in 14 outings while posting 10 double-doubles. 

The CAA also announced the 2017 preseason poll Friday with the Phoenix selected to finish eighth in the league with 15 points. The poll is selected based on a vote by fellow CAA head coaches. After finishing fifth in 2016, College of Charleston garnered six first-place votes and 60 points to take the top spot while Hofstra was elected second with three first-place votes and 54 points. James Madison (52 points), Towson (42) and Northeastern (35) round out the top five with Delaware (28) and UNCW (27) picked sixth and seventh, respectively. William & Mary was picked ninth in the league with 11 points.

Set to return nine players from last year's squad that won 18 matches, Elon will open the regular season at the Charlotte Invitational from Sept. 25-26 against Southern Utah, Belmont and Charlotte before playing the first of 14 home matches inside Alumni Gym on Tuesday, Aug. 29, against North Carolina A&T. This season marks the final year of competition for the program in Alumni Gym with the team slated to contest the 2018 season in the Schar Center, which is currently being constructed just down the road from Alumni Gym. 

2017 Preseason All-CAA Volleyball Team
Taylor Austin, James Madison
Jocelyn Kuilan, Towson
Kennedy Madison, College of Charleston
Laura Masciullo, Hofstra
Michela Rucli, Hofstra
Kristen Walding, Northeastern

2017 Preseason Player of the Year: Jocelyn Kuilan, Towson

Honorable Mention: Allison Beckman, College of Charleston; Maria Bellinger, Delaware; Sydney Busa, Elon; Maddy Kline, UNCW; Krissy Mummey, College of Charleston