RICHMOND, Va. – Coming off a 23-9 season in 2011, the Towson University volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Poll. Voting in the poll was done by the league's head coaches.

Northeastern, which finished second in last year's regular season standings, was picked to finish first in this year's poll. Defending champion Delaware was picked second while James Madison rounded out the top three. The Tigers were the fourth pick in the poll and were followed by Georgia State in fifth. Hofstra, George Mason, William & Mary and UNC Wilmington rounded out the nine spots.

2011 CAA Coach of the Year, Bruce Atkinson welcomes back 11 letter winners from a year ago. The returning group is led by 2011 CAA Player of the Year Katy Buck, who led the CAA in kills per set with 4.05 and finished with 458 kills total. Also among the returnees is second team All-CAA setter Aubrey Kirven (11.55 assists per set) and CAA All-Rookie selection Paige Sekerak (4.29 digs per set). Atkinson also welcomes five talented newcomers into the mix.

Atkinson and the Tigers will open the 2012 season on Friday, August 24 at the Battle of the Bay Tournament. The Tigers will face UMBC and St. John's in action held at Morgan State.

2012 CAA VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

(Teams received 8 points for a first-place vote, 7 for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.)