FOREST, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team under the direction of Head Coach Devyn Bayes, now in her second season, finds itself picked to finish sixth in the regular season. The poll was voted on by the 12 head coaches in the league.

Emory & Henry returns five starters from last season’s squad, highlighted by reigning two-time All-ODAC Second-Teamer junior outside hitter Tristen Pennington (Kingsport, Tenn.) and junior middle Kennady Thomason (Chattanooga, Tenn.), who was named to the all-league third team in 2014. Other returning starters for the Wasps are junior right side hitter Hannah Doss (Meadowview, Va.) and junior libero Emily Hinshaw (Boone, N.C.) and sophomore outside hitter Ali Singleton (Mount Jackson, Va.).

"Tristen and Kennady lead our returners as all-conference players and junior leaders, but our two sophomores are also ready to step up into bigger roles this year,” said Bayes. "We have a junior-heavy group which has bought into the program philosophy. This will undoubtedly pay off when introducing our newcomers to the squad.”

Seven freshmen join the team this season, highlighted by setter Sam McCauley (Glade Spring, Va.), outside hitter Tori Holmberg (Wake Forest, N.C.) and middle Kate Franklin (Blountville, Va.). McCauley was selected to the all-state second team as a senior after earning district and conference player of the year honors. She ranks in the state top 10 in three categories and is fourth in career assists. Holmberg led Heritage High School to the third round of the state playoffs while Franklin is a product of Sullivan Central High School where she was an honorable mention award winner.

“With nine returners and seven freshmen we are looking to build upon the success seen last year by adding new talent to the mix early on,” Bayes continued. “Our mentality and competitiveness is there, which makes me excited to see where this season could go!”

Washington and Lee University is atop the poll with seven first-place votes while 2014 ODAC Champion Randolph-Macon College is second with four top nods. Lynchburg College earned the final first-place vote while Virginia Wesleyan rounded out the top four.

Emory & Henry will open the 2015 season on the road as it travels to face Ferrum College on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Wasps will visit the campus of Averett University for the fifth time in six years for four matches at the 21st Annual Cougar Classic on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6.

For more information about ODAC Volleyball and to learn about each of the league's 12 teams, click HERE.

---E&H--

-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15