ROCK HILL, S.C. — The South Atlantic Conference (SAC) announced the 2022 volleyball preseason poll and preseason all-conference teams on Monday, Aug. 15, with the UVA Wise Cavaliers tabbed in twelfth place.

Wingate was voted as the preseason poll favorite coming from an impressive 24 match wins in their 2021 campaign and making their mark in the NCAA Southeast Regional.

Capping off the poll in thirteenth place was Emory & Henry, new members of the conference as of the 2022-23 year. The Wasps went 15-11 in the 2021 season as a Division III Independent institution.

In the 2021 campaign for UVA Wise, the Cavaliers went 4-22 in Head Coach Kristen Salyer's last year at the helm of the program.

In the hands of new Head Coach Alyssa Hanley, she looks for opportunities to grow with her young team. "One of my biggest goals [For UVA Wise] is growth in the right direction," Hanley said. "It's going to take a bit to get into a system. . .  but as a new coach, I want to make a mark with my team." 

You can listen to the rest of Coach Hanley's 2022 preseason interview here.

UVA Wise kicks off the 2022 campaign on their home court against non-conference opponent Bluefield State on Aug. 27 at noon. 

Find the full SAC preseason poll and all-conference teams below:

2022 SAC Volleyball Preseason Poll 

2022 SAC Volleyball PRESEASON All-Conference 

First Team 

Emiah Burrowes, Tusculum 

Shannon Kasprak, Wingate

 Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman

 Sarah Goddard, Mars Hill 

Madison Roy, Anderson 

Noelle Knutsen, Anderson 

Carly Sosnowski, Tusculum (L) 

Second Team 

Jana Cuk, Mars Hill 

Maggie Young, Wingate 

Carli Pigza, Tusculum 

Jaelyn Grimm, Anderson

 Elise Carmichael, Tusculum 

Colette Romp, Lenoir-Rhyne 

Third Team 

Molly Lambillotte, Wingate 

Sadie Kluner, Anderson 

Carley Williams, Emory & Henry 

Emma Clark, Lenoir-Rhyne 

Abbey Hildenbrand, Carson-Newman 

Jordan Schmucker, Mars Hill