Juniata picked to defend Landmark title

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – After 31 consecutive conference championships, there wasn't really much doubt about the outcome of the Landmark Conference women's volleyball preseason poll. 

But the league's coaches and sports information directors made it official on Tuesday anyway; Juniata College is their pick to win the league's title in 2012.

Juniata rallied 60 points and six first-place votes, beating out Susquehanna University who earned 41 points and one first-place vote.

Catholic University came in third with 38 points and Moravian was just nine points behind with 27. The University of Scranton rang-in at No. 5 with 22 points, with Goucher and Merchant Marine rounding out the poll with 17 and 12 points respectively.

In addition to ranking first on the Landmark poll, Juniata currently sits at No. 10 on the AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, released last week.

Juniata opens its 2012 season on Saturday, September 1, at the Haverford Invitational against Widener.

LANDMARK CONFERENCE
2012 Preseason Women's Volleyball Poll
1. Juniata College – 60 pts.
2. Susquehanna University – 41 pts.
3. Catholic University – 38 pts.
4. Moravian College – 27 pts.
5. University of Scranton – 22 pts.
6. Goucher College – 17 pts.
7. United States Merchant Marine Academy – 12 pts. 

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