August 23, 2006 
Contact: Mike Christie, Sports Information Director

Christopher Newport Picked As USA South Preseason Volleyball Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Christopher Newport University, under the direction of Head Coach Lindsay Birch in her fifth-year, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to win the USA South Athletic Conference volleyball title in 2006. The Captains, defending co-regular season champions, have captured at least a share of the title in four of the past five seasons.

Christopher Newport received seven of the eight first place votes (49 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Greensboro College, who shared the title last season with CNU, finished second in the balloting with 42 points and one first place vote. Averett University rounded out the top three as the Cougars collected 38 points.

The volleyball regular season gets underway on Friday, September 1 when Averett, Christopher Newport, Ferrum College, N.C. Wesleyan College and Peace College are in action.

2006 USA South Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Christopher Newport (7)	49
2.	Greensboro (1)	42
3.	Averett	38
4.	Methodist	28
5.	N.C. Wesleyan	26
6.	Ferrum	18
7.	Peace	13
8.	Shenandoah	10