Bulldogs tabbed fifth in NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After earning its best finish at the Division I level a season ago, the Bryant University volleyball team has been tabbed to finish fifth in Wednesday's Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

All-conference second teamer Debora Magalhaes (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) returns to lead the Bulldog defense after ranking 11th and 21st in the nation in digs (660) and digs per set (5.20) in 2014. Junior Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) and sophomore Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) are the team's top returning offensive threats, while setter Vika Nesterov (Kfar Saba, Israel) will once again run the offense on the court for head coach Theresa Garlacy.

Bryant's wealth of returners will be joined by six strong rookies, who will look to make their mark right out of the gates as the Bulldogs strive for their first-ever DI playoff berth.

Three-time defending champion LIU Brooklyn was once again predicted to take home the top spot, earning all seven possible first-place votes. Central Connecticut grabbed the remaining first-place nod and is tabbed to finish second, while Robert Morris and Saint Francis U. round out the poll's top four.

After Bryant in the fifth slot, Sacred Heart sits in sixth, with Fairleigh Dickinson and St. Francis Brooklyn completing the eight-team poll, respectively.

The Bulldogs open their regular season at home August 28-29, hosting Quinnipiac, Iona and Holy Cross in the 2015 Hampton Inn-vitational.