Tampa Picked to Win 2019 SSC Volleyball Crown

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Sunshine State Conference volleyball coaches' have picked the University of Tampa to repeat as league champions in 2019. With 98 points and eight first-place votes in the poll, the Spartans are expected to lift the league trophy for the 27th time in program history.

Barry University finished second in the ranking with 93 total points and the remaining three first-place votes. Palm Beach Atlantic University follows in third place with 77 points, while Florida Southern College holds fourth place at 71 points. Saint Leo University rounds out the Top-5 after receiving 68 points from league coaches.

Lynn University lands in the middle of the poll with 52 points and is followed the voting by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (45 points), Eckerd College (41 points), Nova Southeastern University (29 points), Rollins College (17 points), and Florida Tech (14 points).

Last season, Tampa and Barry both finished at 17-3 in SSC play and shared the league title. The Spartans ended a two-year conference championship drought and the Buccaneers lifted the trophy for the first time since 2004. Including Tampa and Barry, five conference teams saw action in the 2018 NCAA Postseason Tournament (Palm Beach Atlantic, Florida Southern, Saint Leo), with UT ultimately winning the south region title and the national title.

The Spartans return five starters from last year's championship team, including Sorrel Houghton who was named to the D2CCA All-South Region First Team and Katie McKiel who was named to D2CCA All-South Region First Team. Both were also All-SSC First Team selections. Tampa also returns setter Sammy Mueller, who was named All-SSC Second Team.

The 2019 season opens up will all SSC teams in action on Friday, September 6th. Conference play begins on Tuesday, September 17th, with Florida Tech hosting Rollins College.

UT will begin their title defense on Friday, September 6^th as they host the Courtyard by Marriott-Terrace Hotel Classic. Tampa will be welcoming in the Valdosta State Blazers, Central Missouri Jennies, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks, and the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears.  The Spartans will face off against the Crimson Hawks at 1:15 P.M. to kick off their title defense.

2019 SSC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

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(First-Place Votes)