BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-The Gulf South Conference Volleyball Coaches picked the Lee University Lady Flames volleyball team to finish ninth in the annual preseason poll on Tuesday morning. It came as no surprise when the volleyball coaches picked the University of West Florida to win its sixth straight conference title when the annual preseason poll was release on Tuesday. The poll shows the Argonauts receiving 11 of a possible 12 first-place votes and 121 points while second place Mississippi College collected one first-place vote and 105 points.
"The preseason rankings make sense based on what happened last season," said Lee first-year coach Christa Fabre after viewing the predictions. "Melissa Wolter at West Florida has built an incredibly strong program, one that is hard to beat. I also understand why we would be ranked ninth, but I do believe we will surpass that ranking. We have several strong players coming back and we added new talent to our roster as well."
Coach Fabre will give fans a preview of her squad with a Navy and White inter-squad scrimmage this evening (Tuesday, 6 p.m.). The Lady Flames will finally get to face an opponent wearing a different jersey when they travel to Nashville to face Trevecca in an exhibition game on Friday and will be in Walker Arena to host Miles College in another exhibition on August 24.
The Lady Flames are picked to finish ahead of West Georgia, Christian Brothers and West Alabama. Montevallo, Union, Alabama Huntsville, Valdosta State, Auburn Montgomery and Shorter are all ranked ahead of the Lee team.
West Florida and Montevallo dominated the nine member GSC Preseason All-GSC Team with three selections each. Mississippi College picked up two members and Valdosta State got the remaining slot.
The Lady Flames had three players listed on the 2023 GSC Newcomer Watch List. "Some of the newcomers we have on the watch list will be big role players for us and I think will have a significant impact," pointed out Coach Fabre.
Naomi Hockless is a 6-foot-0 middle blocker from Baytown, Texas who was previously at St. Francis at Brooklyn. "She is strong offensively and will add value to our defense with blocking. She brings a competitive and determined mindset to the gym," said the coach.
MC Brown is a 5-foot-11 transfer from University of North Alabama who Coach Fabre also believes will have a significant impact on the court for the Lady Flames this season. "She was able to work with us in the spring and I was able to see so much growth in her. She became someone we were able to rely on to get the job done and terminate the ball on the outside.
"Isabella Harding is a 5-foot-11 freshman (Commerce Charter Township, Michigan) who is a consistent all-around player that has a strong swing and has come in ready to go this season. She has a really high ceiling for growth, and I believe she will be one who contributes greatly in the future," the coach added.
Coach Fabre continued, "There are others we brought in late who I have been so impressed with. Julia Davis, a transfer from UTC's beach team is one that I am very excited about. She is the kind of player you love to coach - completely bought in and selfless for her team, always working to improve. She wills the people around her to be better and plays with confidence."
2023 GSC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
First-place votes in parentheses ( )
1. West Florida - 121 pts (11)
2. Mississippi College - 105 pts (1)
3. Montevallo - 97 pts
4. Union - 84 pts
5. Alabama Huntsville - 81 pts
6. Valdosta State - 70 pts
7. Auburn Montgomery - 65 pts
8. Shorter - 51 pts
9. Lee - 43 pts
10. West Georgia - 41 pts
11. Christian Brothers - 21 pts
12. West Alabama - 13 pts
2023 GSC Volleyball Preseason All-GSC
Carolina Chastang, OH, Mississippi College#
Allie Dishman, MB, Montevallo*
Casey Hendrixson, DS/L, Montevallo*
Macy Martin, OH, Montevallo#
Alex Oliver, OH, West Florida
Lydia Paulette, MB, Mississippi College*
Avery Rodgers, RS, West Florida#
Jojo Smith, OH, Valdosta State#
Jenna Zydlo, MH, West Florida*
* First Team All-GSC in 2022
# Second Team All-GSC in 2022
