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American
Volleyball Named Patriot League Preseason Favorite
Eagles
Claim Top Spot In Inaugural Season
Aug. 23, 2001
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Entering its first season as a full member
of the Patriot League, the
American University volleyball team was named the preseason league favorite
as announced by the league office on Thursday. The vote was conducted
among coaches and sports information directors at each of the eight member
institutions with American ousting last year's league champion Bucknell
with 10 first-place votes to two.
The Eagles are coming off a stellar 26-4 outing last season and an 11-1 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Head coach Barry Goldberg celebrated his third CAA Coach of the Year nod along with his 300th career victory while five of his Eagles earned All-CAA honors, including a Regional All-America selection.
Junior Judit Szekelyhidi (Ujszentivan, Hungary/Szegedian Club) returns to lead a young AU squad this season after finishing second in the CAA with a .342 hitting percentage and earning All-CAA First Team accolades. She will be joined by four other returning letterwinners along with an incoming class of six freshmen.
"Much of our first year in the Patriot League will be learning about our new opponents and what makes them tick," commented Goldberg. "I know not to take any team lightly and, as is the case anytime during the season, you have to expect the unexpected. If you're not ready to play, no matter who it's against, it is not a pleasant outcome."
The Eagles open their season on August 31 against Coastal Carolina as
part of the two-day Davidson Classic Tournament. American's first Patriot
League match of the season is a road contest on Sept. 21 at Holy Cross.
American University became a full member of the Patriot League on July
1 after competing in the Colonial Athletic Association since the 1985-86
academic year.
American University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport NCAA Division
I athletics program, featuring 10 women's sports and nine for men.
2001 Patriot League
Preseason Volleyball Poll
| Rank | Team | Points | 2000 Record | 2000 League Record |
| 1 | American | 92 (10) | 26-4 | 11-1 (CAA) |
| 2 | Bucknell | 82 (2) | 17-15 | 10-2 |
| 3 | Army | 68 (3) | 19-11 | 7-5 |
| 4 | Lehigh | 62 (1) | 15-15 | 7-5 |
| 5 | Colgate | 54 | 11-20 | 8-4 |
| 6 | Holy Cross | 43 | 12-16 | 6-6 |
| 7 | Navy | 32 | 12-17 | 4-8 |
| 8 | Lafayette | 15 | 1-26 | 0-12 |
(#) indicates number of first-place votes
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