FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo volleyball team was voted to finish third in the Peach Belt Conference standings, according to league coaches in a poll released Aug. 26.

The Falcons were selected to finish tied for third last season and ended the year in second place in the conference with a 24-13 record. Montevallo advanced to the NCAA Southeast Region tournament a year ago.

The Falcons advanced to their first NCAA Tournament as a member of the Peach Belt Conference in 2010 and also captured their first victory in the NCAA Tournament in program history with a 3-1 win over Lincoln Memorial University in the first round.

Montevallo returns All-Region performers Anna Garrison and Manyi Ati.

Garrison was Co-Setter of the Year last season in the conference and was recently selected to the preseason All-Peach Belt Conference team. Ati was named Freshman of the Year in the conference last season and was also named to the preseason All-Conference team this year.

The Falcons led the Peach Belt in kills and assists last year, while finishing second in digs. Montevallo finished with an 11-3 record in conference and secured the second place spot with a three-match lead over Armstrong Atlantic.

Armstrong Atlantic is picked to finish ahead of the Falcons in 2011 despite last season’s results. Defending conference champion Flagler garnered all but one first-place vote as it secured the top spot in the poll. Following Montevallo is USC-Aiken, Francis Marion, UNC-Pembroke, Augusta State and Lander.

The Falcons will open the season Sept. 2-3 at the Christian Brothers University tournament. The Falcons will face Christian Brothers, the University of West Georgia, Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University.