JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Volleyball team has been picked to finish fifth in the Collegiate Conference of the South Preseason Poll released on Monday. The Blazers, who finished fifth in the final CCS regular season standings last season, are looking to make waves in their second year in the conference.  

Overall, Belhaven finished the 2022 campaign with a 10-18 record and a 7-9 record in conference play. Belhaven returns CCS All-Conference Second Team member Ellie Jones, who had a remarkable impact on the team ranking eighth in the CCS in points and fourth in blocks.  

Belhaven opens their 2023 campaign on Friday, September 1st, where they travel to Shreveport, La. to face Rhodes University in the Cajun Country Classic. The match is set to begin at 10:00 AM. 

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. 

Release from the CCS

Covenant has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2023 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Women's Volleyball Championship following a vote of the league's head coaches. The Scots received 54 total votes, announced by the league office on Tuesday.
 
A force to be reckoned with, Covenant College basks in their previous victory as CCS champions, capping off a season characterized by unparalleled excellence. Boasting their second consecutive 21-win season, they closed the books on an impressive 21-12 (14-2 CCS) record. Their prowess was on full display during a sweeping triumph over the Huntingdon Hawks, clinching a 3-0 victory. Although their journey ended with a season-ending loss at the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Scots departed with a trail of accolades. A standout performance secured them an NCCAA Second Team All-American honor, while two luminaries clinched major conference awards (Player of the Year and Coach of the Year). A total of four players earned All-Conference honors, three secured spots on the All-Championship Team, and the team etched their name into the NCAA Regional landscape.
 
The return of middle hitter Emma Kalbfleisch is certain to spark excitement after earning the distinguished title of 2022 CCS Co-Player of the Year, she exhibited her prowess with a staggering 275-kill season (2.64 per set), leading the Scots with unwavering determination.
 
Huntingdon, a formidable rival, stakes their claim with a commendable second-place prediction, garnering 47 points. Fresh off a season boasting 14 conference victories and a conference championship appearance, the Hawks are set to soar. The 2022 regular season witnessed them notch an impressive 11-3 record at home, accompanied by an impressive collection of CCS All-Championship honors.
 
Maryville is poised for action, locked in a tie for second with 47 points. The Scots closed the previous season with a resounding 22-9 overall record. Their upcoming endeavors include the eagerly anticipated Maryville Labor Day Classic, Washington & Lee Invitational in Virginia, and the Marilyn Scribner Invitational in Illinois. The team's sights are then firmly set on conference play, which commences on September 23.
 
Berea stakes their claim with 40 points, securing the fourth position in this year's preseason poll. Their back-to-back seasons boasting over 20 wins have solidified their reputation as a dynamic team. Closing last season with a triumphant six victories in their last nine contests, the Mountaineers completed the season with an outstanding 21-9 record and a conference mark of 12-4, culminating in a thrilling semifinal appearance in the last year's conference tournament.
 
Belhaven seized the fifth spot under the leadership of second-year head coach Kody Bivins. Guiding the Green and Gold to their first 10-win season since 2018, the Blazers concluded the 2022 season with a commendable overall record of 10-18, including a 7-9 standing in conference play.
 
Piedmont (27 points), LaGrange (19), Wesleyan (14), and Agnes Scott (9) round out this year's preseason poll.
 
The regular season begins Friday, September 1, with majority of the conference teams in action. Follow all the CCS volleyball action with updated scores, schedules at standings at www.collegiateconferenceofthesouth.com.
 
The 2023 CCS Women's Volleyball Championship opens on Tuesday, November 7 and is capped by the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 11, hosted by the highest seeded team.
 
A look at the 2023 CCS Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll:
 
2023 CCS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1.    Covenant	54 points
T2.  Huntingdon	47 points
T2.  Maryville	47 points
4.    Berea	40 points
5.    Belhaven	31 points
6.    Piedmont	27 points
7.    LaGrange	19 points
8.    Wesleyan	14 points
9.    Agnes Scott	9 points

ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine members institutions (Agnes Scott College, Berea College, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
 
Follow all things #CCSWVB on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram at @ccofsouth for all the latest news around the league.