The 2016 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll was released last week, and Fort Lewis is expected to make strides in a positive direction.
Though the Skyhawks struggled to a 5-21 overall record last season, and a last-place 2-16 league record, Fort Lewis is looking up, and the RMAC coaches agree. FLC was picked to finish 13th of 15 teams this season.
Colorado School of Mines is the preseason favorite to win the conference with 192 points. Colorado Mesa’s 174 points is second and Metro State’s 170 points rounds out the top three.
The Skyhawks received 45 points in the poll and were picked to finish ahead of South Dakota Mines (43) and New Mexico Highlands (28).
With 11 returning players and five returning starters, improvements should come naturally as last year’s young team has a year of maturity and chemistry under its belt.
None of the Skyhawks were selected to the 2016 All-RMAC Preseason Team, but senior libero Ally Dell’Amico and sophomore Matisse Monty highlight the crop of returning talent as All-RMAC Honorable Mention selections last season. Dell’Amico finished sixth in the RMAC in digs averaging 4.46 per game, while Monty’s 266 kills led the squad.
Sophomore Maddie LeBlanc played all 96 sets as a freshman last season and was second behind Monty with 136 kills. Senior Delaney Scanlan led the team with 498 assists last year and will be setting up the hitters once again.
Colorado Mines senior Alanna Winfield was named the Preseason Player of the Year. Taylor Wood of Colorado Mesa was voted the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and Metro State’s Brandi Torr was named the Preseason Setter of the Year.
The annual Fort Lewis volleyball alumni game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday. The Skyhawks will open their season Sept. 2 at the California State University-San Marcos Classic. The first home match is Sept. 23 against UC-Colorado Springs.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
