WASHINGTON – Dayton is the unanimous choice to repeat as Atlantic 10 volleyball champion in the 2024 Atlantic 10 Conference preseason poll, which was announced Wednesday ahead of the start of the season on Friday, August 30.
The Flyers posted a perfect 18-0 conference regular season record in 2023, topping Loyola Chicago in the title match. Led by 2023 A-10 Player of the Year, Lexie Almodovar, and All-Conference First Team selections Taylor Russell and Alayna Yates, both of whom return this season. UD earned all 10 first-place votes in the poll and tallied 100 points. The Flyers, who were 32-3 overall last year, and ranked 19th in the country after a NCAA First Round win over Pepperdine, are led by 2023 A-10 Coach of the Year Tim Horsmon.
Loyola Chicago finished second in the preseason poll with 89 points. The Ramblers, the 2022 A-10 champions, advanced to the final of the 2023 A-10 Championship. LUC finished last season with a record of 16-2 in league play, placing second, and 19-12 overall. Loyola returns A-10 Setter of the Year Bree Borum.
VCU finished third in the voting with 80 points. The Rams were 17-13 overall last year and 13-5 in league play. They return Anja Kujundzic, and All-Conference and All-Rookie selection last year.
Davidson was voted fourth in the preseason poll, collecting 61 points. The Wildcats are coming off a 2023 season where they were 11-7 in the A-10, finishing fourth, and 19-10 overall. All-Rookie honoree returns for the ‘Cats this year.
Saint Louis was voted fifth in the poll with 60 points following a 8-10 league record and a 16-16 overall mark last season. Fordham was sixth in the poll with 54 points, followed by Duquesne in seventh with 41 points. George Washington recorded 29 points for eighth place. George Mason (25) and Rhode Island (11) rounded out the poll, which was voted on by the league’s 10 head volleyball coaches.
The 2024 campaign begins Friday, Aug. 30. The 2024 Atlantic 10 Volleyball Championship will be played at Dayton’s Frericks Center, Nov. 22-24.
2024 Atlantic 10 Volleyball Preseason Poll
(number in parenthesis indicates first-place votes)
- Dayton -- 100 (10)
- Loyola Chicago -- 89
- VCU -- 80
- Davidson -- 61
- Saint Louis -- 60
- Fordham -- 54
- Duquesne -- 41
- George Washington -- 29
- George Mason -- 25
- Rhode Island -- 11