Volleyball selected second in MASCAC Preseason Poll

Westfield, Mass.— The MCLA Volleyball team was selected to finish second in the upcoming MASCAC season as announced by the league offices today.  The Trailblazers set school records for victories last season and brought home their first ever regular season conference championship in 2015.

The Framingham State Rams have been tabbed by the coaches from around the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference as the top preseason choice to win the 2016 league title.

The 2015 MASCAC Tournament Champions earned five of the seven first place votes for 35 points. The Rams finished the 2015 conference slate with a 5-1 record for a share of the regular season title. Returning for Framingham State is reigning MASCAC Player of the Year Alycia Rackliffe who led the conference in kills per set (4.23) and was second in total kills (469), hitting percentage (.313) and blocks per set (0.83). For her efforts in helping the Rams to the tournament crown, Rackliffe was named Tournament MVP

Claiming the final two first place votes for 32 points is MCLA. The Trailblazers earned the other share of the 2015 MASCAC Regular Season title with a 5-1 conference record. All-Conference honoree Allison Clark is back for the squad after leading the league in hitting percentage (.338) and kills (470) last season while also tallying the second most kills per set (4.12).

Sitting in third with 25 points is Westfield State. The Owls netted a 4-2 mark during MASCAC play last season. Reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Lizzie Taylor will look to repeat the success of her freshmen season with the team. She led the conference in digs per set (5.12) and total digs (563) while also having second most service aces per set (0.63).

Bridgewater State comes in fourth with 21 points. The Bears had a 3-3 record at the conclusion of the MASCAC schedule. Charleyne Panner, a 2015 First Team All-Conference honoree, returns for the team after netting a league leading assists per set (8.36) and total assists (978).

Coming in fifth with 16 points is Worcester State. The Lancers finished with two victories in conference play in 2015. Emily Carens tallied 205 kills (2.09 per set), 16 blocks, 114 digs and 12 service aces for the squad last season.

Wrapping up the 2016 MASCAC Volleyball poll are Salem State and Massachusetts Maritime in sixth and seventh with 12 and six points, respectively. The Vikings netted two conference victories in 2015. Mackenzie Salls will be back on the court for Salem State after finishing last season with 554 assists, 38 service aces and 80 digs. Emma Ethier returns as the setter for the Buccaneers. Last season she led the team with 280 assists, 140 digs and 12 service aces.

The MASCAC volleyball teams are back on the hardwood the week of August 29 with non-conference action.