LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP women's volleyball team was selected third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Preseason Poll, announced following a vote of the league's coaches on Thursday afternoon.
 
In a division that saw three programs make the NCAA Tournament last season, IUP slots third behind preseason favorite Gannon (seven first-place votes) and Clarion (two first-place votes). Edinboro and Slippery Rock close out the top five, with Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown, California (Pa.) and Mercyhurst closing out the PSAC West.
 
IUP posted a 20-9 overall mark in 2022, making the program's first conference and NCAA Tournament appearances since 2017. Second-year head coach Lorelle Hoyer welcomes back a pair of All-PSAC and all-region performers in Lauren Valentic and Caroline Walsh.
 
Overall, the 2023 IUP roster features four former all-region selections. Valentic picked up all-region laurels in 2022 for the Crimson Hawks, while Walsh earned the accolade in 2021. Additionally, IUP welcomes a pair of 2022 all-region selections with Fairmont State transfer Nyla Birch and Grand Rapids CC transfer Audrey Torres.
 
The incoming all-region duo are part of a 12-member recruiting class in 2023. The Hawks also bring back experienced defensive specialist Bailey Flowerdew, a senior with 763 career digs and 63 aces over the past two-plus seasons.
 
In the PSAC East, East Stroudsburg was tabbed as the preseason favorite with four first-place votes. Shepherd and Shippensburg followed in second and third, respectively, picking up a pair of first-place votes each.
 
2023 PSAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Polls (First-place votes in parentheses)
 
West Division
1. Gannon (7)
2. Clarion (2)
3. IUP
4. Edinboro
5. Slippery Rock
6. Seton Hill
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. California
9. Mercyhurst
 
East Division
1. East Stroudsburg (4)
2. Shepherd (2)
3. Shippensburg (2)
4. West Chester
5. Kutztown
6. Millersville
7. Bloomsburg
8. Lock Haven
 
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.
 

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