August 22, 2007 
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 sixth-year, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to win the USA South Athletic Conference volleyball title in 2007. The Captains have captured at least a share of three consecutive regular season crowns. CNU has also won four of the past six USA South Tournament championships.

Christopher Newport received six of the ten first place votes (78 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Not far behind was Averett University, who shared the regular season title last season with CNU and captured the USA South Tournament championship. The Cougars finished second in the balloting with 76 points and the remaining four first place votes. Greensboro College rounded out the top-three as The Pride collected 65 points.

The volleyball regular season gets underway on Friday, August 31 as seven of the league's ten schools, including USA South newcomers Mary Baldwin and Meredith, are in action.

2007 USA South Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Christopher Newport (6)	78
2.	Averett (4)	76
3.	Greensboro	65
4.	Ferrum	54
5.	Methodist	47
6.	N.C. Wesleyan	33
7.	Meredith	31
t-8.	Peace	23
t-8.	Shenandoah	23
10.	Mary Baldwin	20