Lions Trail Tampa in Conference Early-Season Poll
SAINT LEO, Fla. – After claiming the programs first conference title, the Saint Leo University volleyball team was picked second in the 2010 Sunshine State Conference Preseason Poll; it was announced Friday by the SSC. Tampa has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the 2010 Sunshine State Conference volleyball title.
Last season’s co-champions, the Spartans were a unanimous first-place choice, picking up every possible first-place vote. They accumulated 192 points in the poll. In 2009, UT tied with the Lions atop the final league standings with a 15-1 conference record and ended Saint Leo’s miracle season in the South Region Championship. Tampa has claimed at least a share of the SSC title five straight seasons.
Coming off its league co-championship, Saint Leo was second in the poll with 155 points. Not far behind the Lions was Lynn, which placed third with 146 points and claimed the final two first-place votes. Florida Southern collected 120 points to rank fourth in the poll.
Eckerd received 92 points to place fifth. Nipping at the Tritons’ heels with 88 points was Nova Southeastern, which took the sixth spot. Rollins appeared in seventh with 76 points. Barry (72) and Florida Tech (31) rounded out the poll.
It was a memorable run for the Lions as they finished their 2009 campaign with a share of the conference title and a 30-4 record, going 15-1 in conference. The 30 victories once again smashed the previous school record of 29 set during the previous season. Head coach Sam Cibrone, who became the winningest coach in Saint Leo Volleyball history in 2009, enters his seventh season as the Lions’ leader with a core group of seniors and a strong recruiting class.
Saint Leo will open its 2010 season as they host the five-team Saint Leo Lion Classic. The Lions open their campaign against Saginaw Valley State on Thursday, September 2nd. Saint Leo begins its defense of their Sunshine State Conference title on September 17th when they travel to Ft. Lauderdale and face Nova Southeastern.
2010 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL
Rank – School, Points (1st Place Votes)
1 – Tampa, 192 (16)
2 – Saint Leo, 155
3 – Lynn, 146 (2)
4 – Florida Southern, 120
5 – Eckerd, 92
6 – Nova Southeastern, 88
7 – Rollins, 76
8 – Barry, 72
9 – Florida Tech, 31