NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts Boston has been tabbed the favorite to capture the 2009 Little East Conference volleyball championship for the first time in program history after a vote by each of the eight conference coaches determined the annual preseason poll. The Beacons, on the strength of four first-place votes and 59 total points, overtook Keene State College by three markers for the top spot.

The following three positions in the coaches' survey were separated by just four points as Western Connecticut State University (44) edged Plymouth State University (41) and Eastern Connecticut State University (40) for third place.

Head Coach Terry Condon guided UMass Boston to its greatest campaign in program history in 2008, establishing a new standard for single-season victories with an overall record of 25-9. The Beacons posted a 5-1 mark in conference action to earn the second seed in the Little East Championship. Condon's charges made their first appearance in the championship match, dropping a dramatic five-set decision to the host Owls. UMass Boston will welcome back six student-athletes from the 2008 edition, including a pair of major award winners. Senior Kate McWhorter (Bakersfield, Calif.), the top offensive player, set a new school record for kills (493) and hitting percentage (.364), while sophomore Cassy Hanneman (Denver, Colo.), the rookie of the year, shattered the mark for assists (1,063). The Beacons travel to California to open the 2009 campaign, when UMass Boston squares off against Pomona-Pitzer in the Pacific Coast Classic on Sept. 4. 

Under the watchful eye of Head Coach Bob Weiner, Keene State College raised the conference championship trophy for the first time last fall, and represented the Little East in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Owls won at least 25 matches for the third consecutive campaign, setting a new school record with an overall mark of 29-9. Keene State also raised its conference winning streak to 12 matches after sweeping its Little East schedule for the second straight season. The Owls return 11 players from last year's championship squad, including first-team All-Little East setter Jordan Pokryfki (Wasilla, Alaska). Keene State will take the court at Southern New Hampshire at 7 p.m. on Sept. 2 in its season opener.  

The top six teams in the final regular season standings advance to the 2009 Little East Volleyball Championship Tournament with the top two teams earning the a first round bye. The top seed in the tournament field will host the semifinal and championship rounds from Nov. 6-7. The conference champion will earn the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Completing the preseason coaches' poll in projected order of finish in the final conference standings are University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (22), Rhode Island College (16), and the University of Southern Maine (10).