Webster Volleyball Looks to Three-Peat in 2009

ST. LOUIS - Defending St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) regular season and tournament champion Webster University has been picked as the pre-season favorite in the 2009 SLIAC Volleyball Coaches' Pre-Season Poll. The Gorloks, who went undefeated at 16-0 last season and posted a 23-6 overall record, will look to capture their third consecutive regular season championship.

Webster head coach Merry Graf has a veteran squad returning to the court, including 2008 All-SLIAC honorees Jackie Schall and Abby Williams. Schall, a First-Team All-SLIAC selection at outside hitter, led the Gorloks with 227 kills last year. She also tallied 20 service aces, 220 digs and 22 total blocks. Williams was named Honorable Mention All-SLIAC at setter in 2008 after recording 422 set assists and leading Webster with 27 service aces on the season. She also posted a .434 attack percentage, with 60 kills in 129 total attempts. Also returning for the Gorloks are defensive specialist Sarah Bailey and outside hitter Mary Jo Schweitzer. Bailey recorded a team-high 374 digs last season, while Schweitzer had 25 set assists and 197 digs.

SLIAC newcomer Spalding University was selected to finish second in the pre-season poll. The Golden Eagles received two first place votes. Greenville College was picked third in the poll. The Panthers were 16-13 overall last season and 10-6 in conference play. Principia College rounded out the top four in the poll and also received one first place vote. Principia, who lost 2008 SLIAC Player of the Year, Christina Speer, to graduation, went 23-10 overall and 14-2 in conference play last year.

Spalding begins their first year as a member of the SLIAC. The Golden Eagles are eligible for the regular season conference championship and SLIAC awards, but due to their NCAA provisional membership, they may not qualify for the Conference Tournament.