WATERVILLE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy was given the nod by the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) coaches to win the East Division of the conference while SUNY Delhi was the coaches’ choice in the West Division, in preseason voting conducted among the conference’s head coaches.
Maine Maritime, who captured the 2021 NAC championship, received 25 points in the voting including all five first-place votes. Northern Vermont-Johnson was tabbed to place second in the division with 18 points, while Husson University was third with 15 points. UMaine-Presque Isle (12 pts.) and Northern Vermont-Lyndon (5 pts.) rounded out the East Division poll.
In the West Division, SUNY Delhi received four first-place votes and finished atop the poll with 22 points. SUNY Cobleskill, who fell to Maine Maritime in the 2021 NAC championship match, placed second with 18 points including one first-place vote, with SUNY Poly taking the third spot with 15 points. SUNY Canton (11 pts.) and Cazenovia College (9 pts.) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The 2022 regular season opens on Thursday, Sept. 1, with the first round of NAC matches scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24.
The 2022 NAC Volleyball Tournament will begin with divisional quarterfinal matches on Saturday, Oct. 29, and will culminate with the championship match on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Complete poll results and capsule previews for the North Atlantic Conference’s 10 teams are below:
EAST DIVISION
Maine Maritime Academy – 25 points (5 first-place votes)
The defending NAC champions from Maine Maritime Academy returns 12 players and six starters from its 2021 team. Head Coach Tricia Carver’s list of returnees includes last season’s NAC Player of the Year Rachel Melampy (5.02 kills/set, 2.80 digs/set, 21.0 total blocks) and NAC Rookie of the Year Katie Albritton (9.45 assists/set, 46 service aces). The returning starters will be joined by a group that includes PVC Class C Player of the Year setter/opposite Evelyn Dagan, and Lexington (KY) All-City and Kentucky All-Region middle hitter Ila Smith.
Northern Vermont-Johnson – 18 points
Northern Vermont-Johnson will be led by defensive specialist Jimmi Lynn Canchola-Williams, who turned up 248 digs (3.44/set) for the Badgers in 2021, and outside hitter Tina Betham, who charted 246 kills (3.42/set). The Badgers return five starters and seven total roster players from Head Coach Dongping Fang’s 2021 team, which posted a 9-11 overall record, 5-3 in the NAC East. The Badgers have grown mentally and physically since last season, and Fang believes his squad is hungry to finish on a higher note than last season.
Husson University – 15 points
Husson will welcome back eight roster players including four starters from the 2021 roster, as the Eagles prepare to take flight under first-year Head Coach Alex Gordon. Leading the way will be Honorable Mention All-NAC outside hitter Cheyenne Young (2.44 kills/set) along with defensive specialist Adrienne Beatty (3.56 digs/set, 29 service aces). The Eagles will be trying to improve upon last season’s 7-18 overall record, 4-4 in the NAC East Division.
UMaine-Presque Isle – 12 points
Head Coach Jonathon Bowman’s Owls return nine players including five starters from last season’s 4-17 squad which went 3-5 versus NAC East foes. Second Team All-NAC outside hitter Makayla Miskiewicz (1.25 kills/set) and Honorable Mention All-NAC libero Alexis Engel (3.51 digs/set). With a solid group of returnees on the court, the Owls will be looking to their newcomers to help them climb the NAC standings.
Northern Vermont-Lyndon – 5 points
Northern Vermont-Lyndon will be hoping to make positive steps in 2022 toward rebuilding the program by leaning heavily on its five returnees, including three returning starters. Setter Charlotte Morris (3.26 assists/set, 27 aces, 1.84 digs/set) leads the group of returnees, along with outside hitter Calysta Lohman (1.05 kills/set, 1.63 digs/set) and defensive specialist Mary Grace Weissauer (1.53 digs/set).
WEST DIVISION
SUNY Delhi – 22 points (4 first-place votes)
Head Coach Beau Bracchy’s SUNY Delhi Broncos went 21-6 overall, 8-0 in the NAC West Division, in 2021 and will be eager to challenge for a conference crown in 2022. The Broncos have nine returnees including three returning starters, led by NAC Defender of the Year Rebecca Heuler (5.68 digs/set, 42 service aces), First Team All-NAC setter Grace Thomas (7.60 assists/set, 2.67 digs/set), and Second Team All-NAC utility player Stephanie Burke (2.49 kills/set, 34 service aces, 33 total blocks).
SUNY Cobleskill – 18 points (1 first-place vote)
SUNY Cobleskill will be led by first-year Head Coach Hailee Herc, who will have eight returning players including four returning starters as she tries to lead the 2021 NAC West Division champion Fighting Tigers to the NAC crown. First Team All-NAC outside hitter Mackenzie Larson (2.79 kills/set, 93 service aces) and Second Team All-NAC middle Alexis Miranda (2.25 kills/set, 74.0 total blocks) headline the returnees. SUNY Cobleskill finished 12-14 overall, 4-4 NAC West in 2021.
SUNY Poly – 15 points
SUNY Poly posted a 9-16 overall record, 4-4 in the NAC West Division, in 2021, and the Wildcats return six players and four starters from last year’s team. Second Team All-NAC middle blocker Emma Draper (2.38 kills/set, 44 total blocks) headlines the list of returnees, along with utility player Ryan Fitzgerald (1.40 kills/set, 48 service aces, 1.75 digs/set) and opposite Brooke Durfee (1.19 kills/set, 1.90 digs/set). Sixth-year Head Coach Juleah Wanner said she is excited about the continued growth among her returning players.
SUNY Canton – 11 points
SUNY Canton features 11 returnees on its 2022 roster as Head Coach Caitlin Grimshaw’s Roos try to improve upon their 2-22 overall record, 2-6 NAC West, from a year ago. Opposite Alyssa Adams (1.56 kills/set) will lead the Roos, along with setter/opposite Michaella DeCapua (2.28 assists/set, 1.61 digs/set)) and Bailey Nadeau (19 service aces). Sarah Balcom (32.0 total blocks) and Cassidy Werner (31.0 total blocks) give the Roos a formidable combination in the middle.
Cazenovia College – 9 points
Cazenovia returns nine roster players including four starters from its 2021 team, and the 2022 edition of the Wildcats will be a very young team according to fifth-year Head Coach Rachel Burbidge. Honorable Mention All-NAC outside hitter Karissa Decosse (2.62 kills/set, 38 service aces, 2.67 digs/set) is Cazenovia’s top returning offensive threat, while the Wildcats will be looking for an immediate contribution from first-year outside hitter Sophia Harris. Cazenovia will be looking to improve upon last season’s 3-20 overall record, 2-6 in the NAC West Division.