Men's Volleyball Selected Second in NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The Elms College men's volleyball team was selected to finish second in the 2012 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Preseason Poll as voted upon by member head coaches.

The Blazers, led by fourth-year head coach Sheila Gisbrecht, return five players to the floor in 2012 including sophomore middle hitter Bryson Rainey (Brookline, Mass.), the 2011 NECC Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-NECC selection. Elms also welcomes back senior outside hitter Yonalvy Acosta (Holyoke, Mass.) who was a 2011 First Team All-NECC selection and sophomore libero/setter Daniel Lebron (San Juan, Puerto Rico) who was named Honorable Mention All-NECC last season.

The Blazers, 13-17 overall a year ago, open their 2012 campaign at the SUNY Institute of Technology Tournament beginning on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Endicott College, an associate member of the NECC for men's volleyball, was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the NECC Championship. 

The 2012 season marks the first season of NECC sponsored men's volleyball. The NECC tournament champion will receive the league's automatic bid to the first-ever NCAA Division III Championship for men's volleyball.

During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, NECC members Daniel Webster College, Elms, Lesley University, Newbury College and Southern Vermont College competed in the New England division of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) and held an NECC tournament.

2012 NECC Preseason Poll
1. Endicott - 49 (7)
2. Elms - 39
3. Southern Vermont - 30
4. Daniel Webster - 27
5. Newbury - 26
6. Regis - 13
7. Lesley - 12