RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Delaware volleyball squad, which dominated the Colonial Athletic Association a year ago on the way to winning the league title, is the pre-season favorite to capture the title once again this fall in a vote by the league coaches.

Delaware, led by 2007 CAA Coach of the Year Bonnie Kenny, received seven first place votes and 78 points overall to easily outdistance pre-season No. 2 pick Northeastern in the poll. The Huskies received three first place votes and 62 points overall. William & Mary was picked third followed by James Madison, Virginia Commonwealth, Hofstra, George Mason, Georgia State, Towson, and UNC Wilmington.

The Blue Hens return five starters from last year’s 31-5 squad that won its first-ever CAA volleyball title, including a pair of all-conference performers in junior libero Stephanie Barry (at right) and senior outside hitter Kelly Gibson. After capturing the CAA regular season and tournament title, the Hens moved on to the NCAA Tournament and won a first round game over Princeton before falling to nationally-ranked St. John’s in the second round.

Barry, who made a league-high 831 digs in 2007, was selected as the CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year and also earned All-Region and honorable mention All-America accolades. Gibson was a third-team All-CAA pick after averaging 3.1 kills per game. Also returning to the court will be junior Michelle LaLonde, who led the team in attack percentage (.315) last season, and sophomore Katie Dennehy, a CAA All-Rookie selection.

The Huskies of Northeastern welcome back all but one starter from last year’s team that finished second in the CAA with an 11-3 mark while William & Mary returns its entire starting lineup.

The CAA has shown tremendous balance in volleyball with five different teams having won the past five conference championships.

Delaware will open the 2008 season Aug. 29-30 taking on Pepperdine, UNC Greensboro, and host Cal State Fullerton at the Cal State Fullerton Tournament. The home opener is set for Sept. 5-6 when the Blue Hens host Michigan State, Syracuse, and New Hampshire in the annual Delaware Invitational at Barbara Viera Court.