FROM STAFF REPORTS

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The University of Montevallo volleyball team was picked to finish fifth in conference standings the Peach Belt Conference Coaches’ Preseason Poll released by the conference office Aug. 26.

The Falcons received 51 total votes in the preseason poll. Montevallo was picked to finish as high as second in the conference by two coaches, while also receiving one third-place vote, five fifth-place votes and one seventh-place vote.

Armstrong State University, the defending Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament champions, were picked as the preseason unanimous favorite with 80 total points.

USC Aiken was picked to finish second with 65 total votes, while GRU Augusta was picked to finish third with 61 total votes. Flagler was picked to finish fourth with 56 total votes.

Lander, Columbus State, Francis Marion, Georgia College and UNC Pembroke round out the remainder of the preseason poll behind Montevallo.

The Falcons are coming off a fourth-place finish in the Peach Belt Conference regular season standings a year ago. Montevallo reached the 20-win plateau for 10th time in its NCAA Division II era last season.

Junior Rebekah Phelps, one of four returning starters, was recently named to the Preseason All-Peach Belt Conference team.