Eagles Picked Second in CVC Preseason Poll

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Continental Volleyball Conference released its annual preseason poll. The Juniata men's volleyball team has been selected second as the Eagles totaled 37 points and received one first-place vote. Rutgers-Newark, the defending conference champions, was picked first with 47 total votes and five first place votes.

In his first full season as head coach, Patrick Shawaryn guided the Eagles to a 24-5 overall record and returns nine players from last year's team, albeit just two starters. Those two starters are senior middle blocker Chad Albert (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) and junior Kyle Seeley (Ellicott City, Md/Howard). Albert was named AVCA Second Team All-American last year after hitting .418 with 77 total blocks. Seeley finished with over 150 kills from his position, totaling 87 blocks. The Eagles will turn to senior setter Ryan Shelton (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) to run their potent offensive attack. Shelton saw action in 14 matches last year and averaged 8.28 assists per set during his limited action. The youthful Eagles welcome in freshman outside hitter Quinn Peterson (Las Vegas, Nev./Shadow Ridge) and will rely on the return of junior libero Brendan Smith (Fuquay-Varina. N.C./Fuquay-Varina), who is back after taking one year away from the court.

Marymount and Stevenson both tied for third with 35 points with the Saints picking up one first place vote. The poll rounded out with Eastern Mennonite, Thiel, and Cairn.