Men's Volleyball Checks In At No. 15 In AVCA Preseason Poll

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Elms College men’s volleyball team will begin the 2019 season ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Top 15, checking in at No. 15 with 36 total points in the first poll of the season, released Jan. 3.

The Blazers had the best season in program history in 2018, going 20-7 and reaching the NCAA Division III Tournament after bringing home the program’s second New England Collegiate Conference championship. Elms reached No. 15 in the AVCA poll last season and was unranked but received votes in the final poll of 2018.

Nine letterwinners return for the Blazers in 2019, including 2018 AVCA National Freshman of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American Jovanny Torres (Juncos, P.R.) and fellow first-team All-NECC honoree Jeremy Torres (Juncos, P.R.).

The Blazers open the season against No. 13 Southern Virginia on Jan. 18 and will play seven regular-season matches against teams ranked in the preseason top 15 or receiving votes, including matches against the top two teams in the preseason poll, Springfield College (Feb. 16) and Stevens (March 30).