FMU tabbed for fourth in PBC volleyball race

The Francis Marion University volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the race for the 2008 Peach Belt Conference championship, according to the annual pre-season poll of the conference's coaches released on Friday.  Lander University was tabbed as the pre-season favorite.

Lander received three first-place votes and finished with 23 points, to outdistance Armstrong Atlantic State University (19). USC Aiken finished third with 16 points, followed by Francis Marion (13), UNC Pembroke (10), and Augusta State University (9).  FMU did receive one of the six first-place votes.  Coaches were not allowed to vote for the own squads.

FMU third-year head coach Paul MacDonald welcomes back six letterwinners, including three starters, from last season's 13-21 squad that placed fourth during the PBC regular season.  Senior 5-11 middleblocker Jessica Lombardi, an All-Conference choice in 2007, heads the returnees.

Francis Marion opens its season at home on August 29 and 30 with the Patriot Invitational.  FMU's first match will be on Aug. 29 against Valdosta State University at 2 p.m.

2008 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll

No. School (1st place vote)    Total

1. Lander (3)                           23

2. Armstrong Atlantic St. (1)    19

3. USC Aiken (1)                      16

4. Francis Marion (1)               13

5. UNC Pembroke                    10

6. Augusta State                       9