Aug. 8, 2001

MACON, Ga. - The Samford Bulldog volleyball team has been picked in a tie for fifth place in the Atlantic Sun Conference in its annual preseason poll voted on by A-Sun head coaches and released by the conference office on Wednesday.

Defending A-Sun champion Georgia State was picked to repeat as conference champion by picking up 6-of-11 first place votes and 114 points. GSU returns five-of-six starters including A-Sun Player-of-the-Year Anna Popenko and Freshman-of-the-Year Molly Sapp. The Lady Panthers finished the 2000 season overall at 28-10 and 8-1 in the A-Sun.

Co-regular season champion UCF picked up two first place votes, 111 points and are picked to finish second. The Golden Knights ended the 2000 season overall at 19-12 and 8-1 in the A-Sun. Florida Atlantic picked up two first place votes, 97 points and are picked to finish third in the poll. The Owls finished 2000 with a 10-20 overall record and 5-4 in the A-Sun and return four starters. Jacksonville University is picked to finish fourth with 88 points. The Dolphins finished last season at 17-11 overall and 6-3 in A-Sun play.

Campbell and Samford share the fifth place spot with 67 points. Campbell picked up one first place vote, and finished 2000 at 17-16 overall and 5-4 in the A-Sun. Samford ended the season at 14-16 overall and 3-6 in the A-Sun. The Bulldogs return all six starters from a year ago.

"I don't mind being picked fifth or sixth in the preseason," said Samford head coach Vickie Nichols. "We still have a very young team that has a chance to surprise a lot of people this season. I think we are similar to Campbell in that we are both improving and will have a real impact on the conference this season. The conference as a whole is stronger from top to bottom and that is going to help all of the teams."

Rounding out the poll is Troy State (7th- 54pts), Jacksonville State (8th 42 pts), A-Sun newcomer Belmont University (9th 40 pts), Stetson (10th 33 pts) and Mercer (11th 17 pts).

Samford's players will report on Thursday, Aug. 9, the team will begin practice on Monday, Aug. 13. The Bulldogs open the 2001 season, Aug. 31, against Texas A&M in Houston, Texas.