WEXFORD, Pa. — Thiel has been picked to finish second in the Presidents' Athletic Conference in 2010, according to a preseason poll of league volleyball coaches. The Tomcats, led by head coach Steve Brewer, received three first-place votes to finish with 79 points in the poll.

Thomas More College received the other seven first-place votes and was predicted by the coaches to repeat as conference champions. Rounding out the preseason poll starting in third place are Saint Vincent
(70), Westminster (61), Bethany (49), Washington & Jefferson (39), Grove City (30), Waynesburg (23), and Chatham (12).

NCAA Division III provisional member Geneva was predicted to go 12-6 in 2010 against PAC teams, according to poll voters. Geneva is not eligible for the PAC until the school is granted active membership in Division III by the NCAA at the conclusion of their provisional membership period, tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2011.

Thiel finished 23-11 and advanced to the PAC title game last year before falling to the Saints. The Tomcats return five all-conference players in seniors Madison Chylik (Valley View, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights), Stephanie Shipley (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), junior Megan Kay (Girard, Ohio/Liberty) and sophomores Kelly Barzak (Warren, Ohio/Howland) and Alyssa Chine.

The Tomcats open the season Wednesday at Walsh University.



1. Thomas More (7) 87 28-11, 13-1 PAC
2. Thiel (3) 79 23-11, 11-3 PAC
3. Saint Vincent 70 23-11
4. Westminster 61 13-23, 10-4 PAC
5. Bethany 49 16-15, 5-9 PAC
6. Washington & Jefferson 39 16-16, 10-4 PAC
7. Grove City 30 8-24, 4-10 PAC
8. Waynesburg 23 6-20, 3-11 PAC
9. Chatham 12 1-25, 0-14 PAC
Geneva picked to finish 12-6 vs. PAC opponents (19-12, 13-5 vs. PAC opponents in 2009)