EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The East Stroudsburg University volleyball team was tabbed to finish fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division Preseason Poll, the conference office announced on Thursday afternoon.

After four seasons with the restructured divisions, the PSAC has returned to the two division format. The East Division will consist of Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Millersville, Shepherd, Shippensburg and West Chester while the West Division includes Cal U, Clarion, Edinboro, Gannon, IUP, Mercyhurst, Pitt-Johnstown, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock.

Shepherd claimed four first-place votes to be the preseason favorites in the East while Gannon landed atop the West after receiving eight first-place votes.

Due to the 2020 season being canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Warriors enter the season as the defending PSAC champion after capturing their first title since 1987 nearly two years ago during the 2019 season.

The Warriors return eight players from the 2019 squad and will be led by first-year head coach Tricia Melfy.

Senior Emily Meredith is the most experienced player of the group as she played in all 36 matches and 131 of ESU's 133 sets during the 2019 season. The Canton, Michigan native recorded 662 digs which was the second most in a single-season and has 1,150 career digs which ranks ninth all-time.

Of the 10 new faces on this year's roster, four are transfers and three are freshman.

The Warriors begin the season on Friday, Sept. 3 when they head to the Wayne State Invitational for matches against West Liberty at 12:15 p.m. and Walsh at 4:45 p.m.

For more information on the ESU volleyball program, follow the Warriors on Twitter at @esuvolley and on Instagram at esuvolleyball.

EAST
1. Shepherd (4)
2. Millersville (2)
3. Shippensburg (2)
4. East Stroudsburg
5. West Chester
6. Bloomsburg
7. Kutztown
8. Lock Haven
 
WEST
1. Gannon (8)
2. Clarion (1)
3. Seton Hill
4. Mercyhurst
5. IUP
6. Edinboro
7. Cal U
8. Slippery Rock
9. Pitt-Johnstown