The Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team was picked to finish fourth in the 2023 South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday morning. Wingate gathered 11 of the 13 possible first place votes to be selected as the preseason favorite. Carson-Newman picked up the other two first place votes to finish second with Anderson came in third place ahead of the Bears.

In addition, Emmaleigh Allen was named to the Second Team Preseason All-Conference Team as the 2022 SAC Freshman of the Year had 263 kills to go along with 28 aces, 31 blocks and 248 digs in her first season in Hickory.

Bears will open the 2023 season inside Shuford Arena against Valdosta State on September 1 at 1:00 PM.

2023 SAC Volleyball Preseason Poll

Rank School (First Place Votes) Score
1 Wingate (11) 140
2 Carson-Newman (2) 130
3 Anderson 120
4 Lenoir-Rhyne 112
5 Tusculum 100
6 Mars Hill 92
7 Newberry 69
8 Catawba 66
9 Limestone 65
10 Lincoln Memorial 46
11 Emory & Henry 30
T-12 Coker 22
T-12 UVA-Wise 22

2023 SAC Volleyball Preseason All-Conference

First Team
Emiah Burrowes, Tusculum
Emily Johnson, Wingate
Maggie Young, Wingate
Laela Jimenez, Mars Hill (L)
Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
Emmagrace Cobb, Carson-Newman
Blake Cherry, Carson-Newman
Jaelyn Grimm, Anderson

Second Team
Emmaleigh Allen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Jordan Schmucker, Mars Hill
Maggie Mullen, Wingate (L)
Martina Foster, Tusculum
Samantha Shaffer, Newberry
Gabby Saye, Wingate
Rylie Sargent, Anderson
Chelsey Blume, Coker

Third Team
Lindsay McCurley, Anderson (L)
Kristen Moehring, Lincoln Memorial
Tatum Riddle, Limestone
Bailey Conner, UVA Wise
Josie Curran, Limestone
Taylor Hall, Newberry
Ketura Margaret, Lincoln Memorial
Sierrah Lemons, Lincoln Memorial