Castine, Maine - Maine Maritime Academy Volleyball has announced Molly Marcotte (Woonsocket, R.I.) and Jessica Menges (Old Forge, N.Y.) as captains for the 2015 season.
"In their senior year, we anticipate Molly and Jess will continue to leave their unique stamp on this program," said Maine Maritime Academy Head Volleyball Coach Tricia Carver-Watson, "Both having been two-sport athletes for multiple years (softball & volleyball), Jess & Molly understand Mariner Pride and commitment. Throughout the course of the last year, they have become the type of leaders a team can trust and build on."
Marcotte, a senior Marine Systems Engineering major, appeared in 103 sets last season for the Mariners and set new career-highs in attacks, digs and service aces.
"Molly is the ultimate combination of spark plug, heart, and dedication. On the court, Molly is a consistent communicator and defender--qualities a libero needs to possess," said Carver-Watson, "Off the court, Molly is an inspiration. Goal-driven, focused, and excited about life, Molly is an example to younger Mariners of who and what we stand for in this program and department.
Menges, a senior Marine Biology major, was named to the 2014 North Atlantic Conference Fall All-Academic team.
"Jess is a two-year Captain for our volleyball team. As is her character, she is deeply thoughtful about the success and well-being of both the program and the individuals in it. A 'lead by example' type, Jess brings to the team a consistent work ethic and steady communication," said Carver-Watson, "Because of Jess' desire to support the development of young girls and women, our team is dedicating our Awareness Game efforts to Girls on the Run, a program up-starting in Northern Maine this year. On the court, Jess has become versatile in her ability to play all 6 rotations and hits one of the heaviest balls on our team."
The Mariners will also return NAC First Team All-Conference selection Gillian O'Neal (Burbank, Calif.). The junior Marine Biology major, led the Mariners and the NAC in kills per set, kills, and service aces per set last season.
On Friday, the Mariners were selected to finish second in the NAC Preseason Poll, conducted by the leagues' coaches. The Mariners, who received 41 points in the NAC Preseason Poll, will open up their season next Tuesday, September 1st, when they travel to Maine-Machias for a non-conference match at 7:00 PM.
"The preseason rankings mean we are getting closer to the first matches and conference play. With a team that is a half and half split of freshmen and returners, we are anxious to compete and learn a little more about who we are as a team," added Carver-Watson, "Colby-Sawyer is very deserving of their number 1 ranking. Still, we are most anxious for the competition conference play will bring this year."
Colby-Sawyer College was unanimously selected to win its fifth-straight North Atlantic Conference crown in the 2015 preseason poll. The Chargers received a total of 49 points to top the league.
Husson University placed third with 34 points. Rounding out the poll was Castleton University in fourth (29 points), Lyndon State College in fifth (22 points), Johnson State College in sixth (11 points), and Green Mountain College in seventh (10 points).
The top two teams in the 2015 preseason poll competed for the NAC Championship title last season, as Colby-Sawyer came away with a 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-9, 25-15) over the Mariners.
The top four teams in the 2015 regular-season conference standings will qualify for the NAC tournament, which gets underway Friday, November 6, with semifinal action at the No. 1 seed. The two semifinal victors will battle for the NAC championship on Saturday, November 7.
2015 NAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team
|
Points (First Place Votes)
|
1. Colby-Sawyer
|
49 (7)
|
2. Maine Maritime
|
41
|
3. Husson
|
34
|
4. Castleton
|
29
|
5. Lyndon
|
22
|
6. Johnson State
|
11
|
7. Green Mountain
|
10
|
Click HERE to view the complete NAC release.
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