NECVA

The Nighthawks received 74 of a possible 81 points and four first-place votes. Newbury was 24-13 last year and 11-3 in the league. Second-year head coach Jamie Terenzi returns six starters, including middle hitter Mark Thomas, a Second-Team All-NECVA Conference and First-Team All-NECVA New England recipient last year. Setter Matt Talamantes, a Second-Team All-NECVA New England pick returns, as do starters Josh Aberly, James Beck, Mike Biuso, and Max Daley.

 

Endicott College, which won the division title for the first time last year, was a close second in the poll with 72 points and three first-place votes. Coach Tim Byram’s Gulls were 22-13 last year and 12-2 within the division. Endicott returns six starters, highlighted by middle blocker A.J. Witkofsky, who was also a Second-Team All-NECVA Conference and First-Team All-NECVA New England in 2009. John Emery, a First-Team All-New England outside hitter, and Second-Team All-New England setter Ben Foster also return.

 

MIT was selected to finish third, receiving 67 points and one first-place vote. The Engineers were 25-12 last year and 10-4 in New England. Paul Dill’s club returns six starters, including middle hitter Mike Demyttennaere, a Second-Team All-New England pick last year.

 

Elms College was predicted to finish fourth, receiving 54 points, including one first-place vote. The Blazers were 20-13 last year and 11-3 in the league. Second-year coach Sheila Gisbrecht returns two starters

 

Wentworth Institute of Technology was voted fifth with 45 points. The Leopards were 9-12 last year (6-8 New England) and return two starters. Wentworth will be guided by new head coach Rob Mullowney.

 

Daniel Webster is slated to finish sixth with 37 points. The Eagles were 5-13 last year and 4-10 in the league in their first year since reinstating the program. Coach Braden Zamore has four starters back.

 

Lesley University was picked seventh with 22 points. The Lynx were 3-19 last year, 2-12 within the league.

 

Regis College makes its debut in the NECVA this season. Coach Jason Conetta’s Pride were selected eighth, and received 18 points.

 

Southern Vermont College was picked ninth with 16 points. The Mountaineers were 2-16 last year and 0-14 in the league. SVC, led by first-year coach Carmine Garofalo, returns three starters.

 

The top two teams in the division will receive automatic berths in the 16^th annual and 2010 NECVA Championship tournament, which will be held from April 9-11.