Aug. 21, 2008
LANCASTER, PA -
It's an exciting time for the Johns Hopkins volleyball team as they return in 2008 from one of its best finishes in program history with a 25-6 record. The Blue Jays were picked to finish at the top of the Centennial Conference as announced Thursday in the preseason conference poll. Hopkins received 94 points, including six first-place votes. This marks the first time that the Blue Jays have been chosen first in the preseason poll.
Gettysburg earned second in the poll with 85 points and Haverford followed closely in third with 83 points and three first-place votes. Franklin & Marshall received one first place vote for a total of 72 points for the fourth position in the poll. McDaniel was fifth with 70 points.
Hopkins returns all but one member of its starting lineup from a year ago. Seniors Amanda Lewis and Kim Jackanich and junior Allison Cappelaere will lead the Blue Jays in 2008. Cappelaere led the team in digs in 2007 and Lewis was a first team All-Centennial selection. Jackanich was also named first team All-Centennial and earned AVCA Mid-Atlantic Region honorable mention.
Head coach Greg Giovanazzi enters his first season at the helm of the volleyball program. Giovanazzi has coached and played at the international, professional and collegiate levels and is excited to begin the 2008 season
Hopkins will host the Asics/Hopkins Invitational on August 29 and 30. Games begin at 6 p.m. in Goldfarb Gymnasium.
2008 Centennial Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Johns Hopkins - 94 pts. (6 first-place votes)
2. Gettysburg - 85
3. Haverford - 83 (3)
4. Franklin & Marshall - 72 (1)
5. McDaniel - 70
6. Dickinson - 61
7. Swarthmore - 44
8. Muhlenburg - 36
9. Washington - 28
10. Ursinus - 21
11. Bryn Mawr - 14
