CACC Releases Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll

CACC Women's Volleyball

8/18/2010 11:13:24 AM

New Haven, CT – (8/18/2010) – Receiving 13, first-place votes and 97 total points each Georgian Court University and Caldwell College were named as preseason favorites for their respective divisions by the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s (CACC) 14 women’s volleyball head coaches. Chestnut Hill College was ranked seventh in the South Division with 18 total points.

Georgian Court University is expected remain as the league’s premier team after winning their fourth straight CACC Tournament Championship last season. As the top team in the South Division, the Lions finished 2009 at 27-10 overall and 19-0 in the conference extending their CACC winning streak to 73 straight, four shy of the national record (West Texas A&M 9/19/99-10/10/03). They return First Team All-CACC selection, senior middle hitter Stephanie Rivera (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico) and reigning CACC Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) sophomore outside hitter Brandi Arsenault (Pine Beach, N.J.).

Caldwell College was placed atop the CACC North Division. The Cougars repeated as the North Division, regular-season champions in 2009 and they return 11 student-athletes from a squad that finished 21-12 overall and 16-3 in the conference. They welcome back three All-CACC talents; junior setter Lauren Roth (Findlay, OH), junior middle blocker Titilola Alao (Ossining, N.Y.), and sophomore outside hitter Susan McDonough (Saline, MI), who was a CACC Co-Rookie of the Year last season.

Dominican College and Philadelphia University were ranked second in South and North Divisions, respectively. Each received one, first-place vote, but the Lady Rams edged the Lady Chargers in total points 76 to 74. Philadelphia University challenged Georgian Court University in last year’s CACC Tournament Championship after a 32-6 finish overall and a 17-2 mark in the conference. Dominican was 15-4 overall and 22-10 in the CACC, they return 11 players including the other CACC Co-Rookie of the Year, sophomore outside hitter Michelle Fiorvanti (Commack, N.Y.).

Chestnut Hill College ended their second season under Head Coach Kim Feeny at 5-25 overall and 1-18 in the CACC. The Griffins showed promise and behind a strong freshmen class they earned their first win as a member of the CACC and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, defeating Concordia College, 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17, 15-11), on Saturday, October 31, 2009. Sophomore libero Elisabeth DiGregorio (Conshohocken, PA) and sophomore middle hitter Cassie Benson (Rosamond, CA) headlined the Griffin rookies. DiGregorio ranked 26^th nationally in Division II for digs per game (5.03) and also led CACC in that category, while Benson recorded a team-high 46 blocks. The Griffins return 11 student-athletes from 2009 squad and welcome in six newcomers to make up the program’s deepest roster in years.

The women’s volleyball team begins the 2010 season at home with a 10:00 a.m. contest against LeMoyne College on Sunday, September 5.

CACC Volleyball
2010 Preseason Poll

NORTH DIVISION SOUTH DIVISION

School 2009 Records Points School 2009 Record Points

1. Caldwell (13) 21-12/16-3 (CACC) 97 1. Georgian Court (13) 27-10/19-0 (CACC) 97

2. Dominican (1) 22-10/15-4 74 2. Philadelphia (1) 32-6/17-2 76

3. Bloomfield 9-18/9-10 67 3. Holy Family 14-22/11-8 63

4. Post 9-27/9-10 55 4. Wilmington 14-16/9-10 61

5. Nyack 10-13/9-10 47 5. USP 10-16/10-9 45

6. Felician 4-27/3-16 27 6. Goldey-Beacom 9-22/4-16 32

7. Concordia 1-25/1-18 25 7. Chestnut Hill 5-25/1-18 18

()-First Place Votes

11.08.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

Caldwell College

(20-25, 16-25, 8-25) Recap

11.01.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

Holy Family University*

(19-25, 21-25, 15-25) Recap

10.29.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

Caldwell College*

(20-25, 19-25, 17-25) Recap

10.27.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

Wilmington University (Del.)*

(25-27, 26-28, 25-23, 15-25) Recap

10.25.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia*

(12-25, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 15-12) Recap

10.21.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

Post University*

(25-23, 25-20, 25-16) Recap

10.18.11

Women's Volleyball

Chestnut Hill

Philadelphia University*

(25-22, 32-34, 20-25, 14-25) Recap

Athletes of the Week

Mark DiRugeris Jr.

Men's Basketball

DiRugeris Earns Second CACC Honorable Mention

New Haven, CT – (1/30/2012) – Including a career performance at Felician College on Saturday, January 28, Chestnut Hill College junior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) averaged 21.5 points-per-game (PPG) while leading the Griffins to two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) wins last week. For his efforts, DiRugeris was recognized with his second honorable mention for the CACC Player of the Week award.

After providing eight points, a rebound, and an assist in a 72-57 win over Dominican College on January 24, DiRugeris offered a career night in a 15-point triumph, 78-63, at Felician College on January 28. He hit all four of his first-half three-point attempts (4-of-4, 100.0%) to total 18 points in the opening period and carry Chestnut Hill College (12-6, 7-2) to a 15-point halftime advantage. DiRugeris kept the pedal down in the second half, depositing another 17 points and leading the Griffins to victory over Felician College with 35 points, four rebounds, and two assists. For the week, he was 11-of-21 (.524) from the floor, 6-of-8 (.750) from three-point range, and 15-of-16 (.938) from the throw line.

This year, DiRugeris is leading the Griffins in scoring (15.9 PPG), while also contributing 3.2 rebounds-per-game (RPG), 34 assists, four blocks, and 26 steals. He is carrying a .468 (102-of-218) field goal percentage, a .494 (40-of-81) three-point percentage, and a .891 (90-of-101) free throw percentage. DiRugeris earned his first CACC weekly honorable mention for his efforts during the week ending December 11, 2011; 22.0 PPG and 4.7 RPG while totaling 10 assists and six steals in conference wins over Holy Family University (12/6), Wilmington University (12/8), and Caldwell College (12/10).

Alssene Saintilus

Men's Basketball

Saintilus Serves as Honorable Mention

For CACC Rookie of the Week

New Haven, CT – (1/23/2012) – Freshman forward Alssene Saintilus (Irvington, NJ) recorded his first collegiate double-double to lead Chestnut Hill College against Philadelphia University on January 16 and earn himself an honorable mention for this week’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Rookie of the Week. Saintilus provided 15 points and ten rebounds in the Griffins 56-42 loss to Philadelphia University, in addition to two blocks and one steal on defense.

Saintilus was 6-of-9 (66.7%) from the field, 1-of-2 (50.0%) from three-point range, and 2-of-4 (50.0%) from the free throw line as the leading performer in last week’s lone contest. Headlining a miserable team shooting performance (14-of-52, 26.9%), Saintilus was a steady performer against the Rams. His consistency helped Chestnut Hill College (12-7, 5-2) keep within range of the Rams, as he offered seven points, six rebounds, a block, and a steal in a 26-9 run that placed the home team one point ahead of their opponents, 38-37, with seven minutes left to play (6:57). Unfortunately, the Griffins struggled to generate offense down the stretch, leaving the Rams to a 19-4 closing run and eventual victory.

Saintilus has recorded double figures in six games this season, while grabbing double digit rebounds twice as a freshman. For the season, he is averaging 8.1 points-per-game (PPG) and 4.1 rebounds-per-game (RPG), while also contributing a team-high 27 blocks, 11 steals, and four assists.

The men’s basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, January 24, when they host Dominican College in a 7:00 p.m. CACC contest.