It could be another lengthy women’s volleyball season at Seton Hill.
The Griffins, who won their first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title last year, are the favorites to finish first in the PSAC Southwest Division, according to a preseason coaches poll.
Seton Hill made its fifth straight trip to the PSAC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional where the Griffins (26-9) fell in five sets to Wheeling Jesuit.
PSAC player of the year Viktoria Farian returns for the Griffins, who received 15 of 17 first-place votes.
Farian, a junior outside hitter, led the PSAC in points (526) and was second in kills (453). She was a D2CCA and AVCA All-American honorable mention.
Returning seniors include Taylor Sabol (Norwin), Erin Parks, Jessica Hanson and Jillian Lavorse.
The season opens for Seton Hill Sept. 6-7 at the Bahama House Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Griffins’ first home match is Sept. 17 against Lake Erie and the PSAC opener is Sept. 27 at home against West Chester.
Seton Hill will retire the No. 9 worn by late alum Maggie Murray on Oct. 12.
The Griffins were named the YMCA Women’s Team of the Year after a solemn yet solidified season.
PSAC women’s volleyball rankings
Southwest Division
1. Seton Hill
2. Pitt-Johnstown
3. Cal U
4. IUP
Central Division
1. East Stroudsburg
2. Kutztown
3. Bloomsburg
4. Lock Haven
Northwest Division
1. Gannon
2. Clarion
3. Edinboro
4. Mercyhurst
5. Slippery Rock
Southeast Division
1. Shippensburg
2. Shepherd
3. Millersville
4. West Chester
VB: Griffins picked to repeat as PSAC Southwest Division Champions. https://t.co/MJ6F4iBEeg
— SHUGriffin Athletics (@GriffinsSports) August 26, 2019
@GriffinsSports land at No. 1 in the Southwest in the #PSACvb Preseason Poll. The Griffins will look to defend their first ever PSAC Championship when they return to the court. SHU will return PSAC Athlete of the Year Viktoria Farian and All-PSAC performer Jessica Hanson. pic.twitter.com/FNb9bQW3wl
— PSAC Sports (@PSACsports) August 26, 2019
