Men's Volleyball Tied for First in 2013 NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Elms College tied with Endicott College for the top spot in the 2013 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) men's volleyball preseason poll following a vote by the conference coaches and announced on Tuesday.

Endicott, who received four first place votes and 44 points, returns just one starter from a team that went undefeated in NECC play last season. The Gulls, who are under new leadership for the first time since 2011, posted a perfect 12-0 mark before falling to Elms in the NECC Championship.

The defending champion Blazers, under fifth-year head coach Sheila Gisbrecht, will look to defend their NECC crown by returning seven players from last year's squad which earned a spot in the inaugural NCAA Division III Championship for the sport of men's volleyball. Elms, which also received 44 points and three first place votes in the preseason poll, return four starters from its 9-3 squad including junior middle hitter Bryson Rainey (Brooline, Mass.), a 2012 First Team All-NECC selection.

2013 NECC Preseason Poll
T-1. Endicott - 44 (4)
T-1. Elms - 44 (3)
3. Southern Vermont - 35
4. Daniel Webster - 30
5. Newbury - 22
6. Lesley - 11
7. Regis - 10