Duke Volleyball Receives Votes In Preseason AVCA Poll

Aug. 13, 2003

The Duke University women's volleyball team received votes in the preseason AVCA/USA Today poll released August 11. The mention is viewed by head coach Jolene Nagel as a positive step for her Blue Devil squad, which was recently picked by the ACC coaches to finish second in the league in 2003.

"It's always exciting to be mentioned when the national rankings come out," Nagel said. "At times, it's tough for a team to crack into the top 25, but when you're already receiving votes it can be a lot easier. Some coaches already have us on their mind when they vote, now we just need to go out and prove it to the other coaches."

Duke has plenty of opportunity to prove they belong among the NCAA's elite teams in 2003. Prior to the start of ACC Conference play, Duke will face Texas A&M, who also received votes in the preseason poll. Then in a tough stretch Duke will play at No. 17 Wisconsin Sept. 13 and then head to Columbia, S.C., for a match with No. 14 Santa Clara and South Carolina, who is also receiving votes in the poll. Both those matches will be held Sept. 19. Two teams-No. 12 Georgia Tech and No. 20 North Carolina-represent the ACC in the preseason top 25.

Should the Blue Devils crack the Top 25, it would mark the first time since the final poll of the 1994 season they were ranked, when they finished a ACC Championship season off with a run to the Sweet 16 and a No. 21 final ranking. In all, Duke has been ranked a total of 19 times in the poll, with 17 of those coming in consecutive polls from the Oct. 26, 1993, poll through the final poll of the 1994 season.

Duke looks to get off to a quick start in 2003 as its first seven matches are in the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils open the season with the Duke Invitational as Pittsburgh, Marquette and Texas A&M all visit Durham Aug. 29-30.

Duke Volleyball Receives Votes In Preseason AVCA Poll

Related News

Related Videos

Duke information