Patriot League Release
HAMILTON, NY (8/26/10) – The Colgate women’s volleyball team was selected to finish third by the Patriot League coaches and sports information directors in the annual Preseason Poll.
The Raiders collected 74 points in the poll, while Army, the defending champion, earned the top spot with 92 points and nine first-place votes. American was picked second with 90 points and seven first-place votes.
"It's always an honor and privilege to be chosen as one of the preseason favorites for the Patriot League season,” stated head coach Ryan Baker. “It is humbling to see the progress we have made over the past four years.”
Colgate returns six starters from a season ago and have only lost three letterwinners. Seniors
Devon Applegate (Davidson, N.C.),
Logan Keala (Kanehoe, Hawaii) and
Casey Ritt (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will lead the team as captains. Keala and junior
Maureen Colligan (Odessa, Fla.) return as the top hitters from the 2009 season. Colligan was second on the team with 231 kills, while Keala wasn’t far behind with 229.
“In order for us to accomplish our goals this season, we have to continue getting better with each day,” said Baker. “We have some great senior leadership in place and I'm excited to see how we develop throughout the season."
Junior Kaylee Dougherty (Landisville, Pa.) and Ritt are the lone returning All-Patriot League honorees. Both were first teamers as middle-blockers. Dougherty ranked eighth in the Patriot League in hitting percentage (.266) and sixth in blocks per set (0.79). Ritt placed seventh in the league by percentage points over Dougherty with a similar .266 hitting percentage.
Lehigh was picked fourth with 62 points, followed by Bucknell in fifth with 49. Rounding out the league was Lafayette (29 points), Navy (28 points) and Holy Cross (24 points).
The Raiders head into the 2010 season this weekend as Colgate hosts the Colgate Classic at Cotterell Court beginning on Friday at 12:30 p.m. with Rhode Island taking on Fairfield. The Raiders face Fairfield at 4:00 p.m. in its home opener.
2010 Patriot League Preseason Volleyball Poll
1. Army – 92 points (9 first-place votes)
2. American – 90 (7)
3. Colgate – 74
4. Lehigh – 62
5. Bucknell – 49
6. Lafayette – 29
7. Navy – 28
8. Holy Cross – 24