SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Elon volleyball squad has been picked to finish second in the Southern Conference North Division by the league’s coaches. The Phoenix, which collected 52 total points, received one first-place vote.

"We return 12 players and we had a successful season last year, so our expectations are high,” head coach Mary Tendler said. “The North Division is very balanced. To win it, a team will not only have to play at a high level, but it will have to be consistent throughout the season. With our experienced team, we definitely have the capability to do that."

Samford, looking for its third-straight North Division title, was chosen to win the division with nine first-place votes. College of Charleston, the defending SoCon tournament champion, was selected to take home the South Division title, receiving seven first-place votes.

The Phoenix looks to improve on last season’s NCAA Division I program-record 22 wins beginning Friday against Charleston Southern at the Hilton RTP/NCCU Tournament in Durham, N.C. Among Elon’s returners are 2009 all-conference selections Caroline Lemke and Traci Stewart and all-freshman honoree Ali Deatsch.

Southern Conference Preseason Poll
North Division
1. Samford (9)
2. Elon (1)
3. Applachian State (2)
4. UNC Greensboro
5. Chattanooga
6. Western Carolina

South Division
1. College of Charleston (7)
2. Furman (4)
3. Georgia Southern (1)
4. Davidson
5. Wofford
6. The Citadel