LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Flagler College volleyball team finished ranked No. 14 in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Division II Top 25 poll released this afternoon.
The ranking was the highest ever achieved by the program. Its previous high was No. 21 on Oct. 21, 2003 in the NAIA poll. The previous high point since moving to NCAA Division II was a ranking of No. 22 at the end of the 2009 campaign when the Saints reached the final four, and then opened the 2010 season in the same spot.
Flagler wrapped up its season with a 31-7 record and an appearance in the elite eight at San Bernardino, Calif. The Saints have had an amazing run since joining the Peach Belt Conference in 2009 having won three regular and post-season titles. The Saints have not lost a match in the post-season tournament and have only lost three regular season matches. Flagler has also gone on to win two-of-the-last-three Southeast Regional championships, and was the regional runners-up in 2010.
Flagler loses AVCA third-team All-America setter
Olivia Snipes (Easley, S.C., Easley HS), outside hitter
Laura Beth Lancaster (Ocala, Fla., Georgia Southern University) and defensive specialist
Jillian Unitas (Baldwin, Md., St. Paul's School for Girls), but return five starters and the Peach Belt Conference's Libero of the Year
Casey Gnann (Boca Raton, Fla., Spanish River HS) in 2012. However, the Saints will have to find a new coach as Taylor Mott announced her resignation last month to relocate with her husband and children to Tennessee.
Heading the rankings is the national champion Concordia University of St. Paul, Minn. (34-2). The Golden Bears won their fifth consecutive national title after sweeping Cal State San Bernardino (32-1), the second place team in the final poll. The University of Tampa (33-2), a final four participant, finished third while the University of Central Missouri (29-5), who advanced to the elite eight, finished fourth. Hillsdale College (32-3), a final four participant, rounded out the top five.
Armstrong Atlantic State University (36-3) finished No. 25 and was the only other Peach Belt Conference school ranked. Southeast Region runners-up Wingate University (32-1) finished No. 18.
Click here to view the entire poll.
