Aug. 8, 2007

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The 2007 Boston College women's volleyball team was picked to finish 11th in the Atlantic Coast Conference pre-season coaches' poll announced Wednesday, Aug. 8. Volleyball Head Coach Andrea Leonard's Eagles finished last season in ACC action with a 10-12 record, 12-19 overall.

Prior to the 2006 season, BC was also selected to finish 11th in conference play, however surprised opponents ending the season in eighth place. With four returning starters, including senior outside hitter Kelsey Johnson, the Eagles plan to exceed expectations once again.

Johnson recorded a career high 445 kills and 507 total points which led the Eagles along with placing her fourth and seventh in the ACC, respectively.

Duke University topped the pre-season poll with 142 total points while also receiving 10 first place votes. The Blue Devils were crowned ACC champion last year by posting a 21-1 conference record. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets received the second place nod with a total of 123 points and two first place selections.

Virginia, Clemson, and Florida State followed with the third through fifth spots totaling 116, 113, and 95 points, respectively. Virginia finished the 2006 season in second place in the ACC with a 16-6 conference record.

North Carolina picked up the sixth position within the poll collecting 72 points.

Rounding out the rest of the conference pre-season poll includes: Virginia Tech (68), Wake Forest (65), Maryland (51), Miami (45), Boston College (32), and NC State (14).

The Eagles open their season on Aug. 24 with three games at the Delaware Invitational in Newark, N.J.