AUGUSTA, Ga. − The Flagler College women's volleyball team found out this afternoon that they are the team to beat, unanimously, in the Peach Belt Conference, according to the preseason coaches' poll which was just released this afternoon.

Flagler took all seven first-place votes for a perfect 49 points. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams. The Saints are the defending conference champions having won both the regular and post season titles in their first year in the league. Flagler (36-9 overall, 13-1 in conf.) also brought home the Southeast Regional title and made the NCAA National Tournament in St. Paul, Minn., where it became the first Peach Belt Institution to win a set or a match. The Saints won their quarterfinal match, but lost in the semifinal.

The Saints return two preseason all-conference selections in Meg Weathersby (Miatland, Fla./Orangewood Christian) and Rachel Stacy (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek HS). Also returning from last year's club are setters, Rebecca Royal (Green Cove Springs, Fla./Fleming Island HS) and Olivia Snipes (Easley, S.C./Easley HS), along with Jillian Unitas (Baltimore, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls), Crystal Niederriter (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS), Casey Gnann (Boca Raton, Fla./Spanish River HS), Cat Houston (Niceville, Fla./Niceville HS) and Kathleen Fitzpatrick (Pompano Beach, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons HS). Seven newcomers will help 2009 Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year Taylor Mott replace the departed Katie Beale, Justine Burkhardt and Becky Hendrian.

Armstrong Atlantic State University picked up the other first place vote and six second place tallies for a total of 43 points and is second in the poll. Tied for third are Augusta State University and the University of Montevallo. Tied for fifth are Lander University and USC Aiken. Francis Marion University and UNC Pembroke round out the field in seventh and eighth place, respectively.

Flagler opens the 2010 campaign Sept. 3-4 at the Carolinas Challenge in Banner Elk, N.C. The Saints open at home on Sept. 17 against conference foe, USC Aiken, at 7 p.m.