United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Volleyball

NEW LONDON, CONN.--(8/23/07)--The Coast Guard Academy volleyball team which advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time in the history of the program last year, is ranked 25th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Preseason Coaches Top 25 Poll.

Last season, the Bears won the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season championship for the second time in three years and won their first ever NEWMAC tournament championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It was their fourth trip (1995, 1996, 1997, 2006) to the NCAA Tournament and first since 1997.

Coast Guard, which was 26-3 last season and ranked 25th in the final AVCA poll of the season, returns junior All-America Nicole Gurr and senior All-region selection Corinne McCormack along with eight other letterwinners.

First year head coach Rob Mullowney and the Bears will open the season on September 7th at Williams at 5 p.m. before hosting both the Merchant Marine Academy at 12:30 p.m. and # 23 Stevens Tech at 3 p.m. on Saturday the 8th. Stevens Tech also advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time last season.