BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University volleyball team has been picked to finish in fourth place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2023 MASCAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received 30 points in the poll with one first-place vote. Westfield State University is the preseason favorite to capture the conference title as the defending MASCAC Tournament champion Owls recorded 45 votes including four first-place votes. Framingham State University is second in the poll with 44 points as well as three first-place votes. The Rams earned a share of the MASCAC regular season crown a year ago along with Westfield. Worcester State University checks in at third place with 37 points.

Under the guidance of head coach Tony daSilveira (5th Year), the Bridgewater State volleyball team will return to the court on Tuesday, September 5th when the Bears travel to the University of New England for a seven o'clock match with the Nor'easters. The 2023 home opener is slated for Wednesday, September 13th (6:00 PM) as the Bears welcome the Lynx of Lesley University to the Tinsley Center.

The Bears open Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play at home against Framingham State on Tuesday, September 26th (6:00 PM). 

Returning veterans Sarah Brogioli (So., OH, Milford, Mass.), Meaghan Coutu (So., RS, Brookline, N.H.), Kim Gowell (So., OH, Durham, N.H.), Abigail Knight (So., RS/DS/S, Berkley, Mass.), Abigail Reardon (Sr., OH, Fairhaven, Mass.), Rachel Sebastian-Asbed (Jr., MH/RS, St. Louis, Mo.), Alexis Starks (So., MH/OH, Milford, Mass.) and Bethany Votta (Sr., S, Cumberland, R.I.) will help lead the Bears in 2023.

The Bears finished in fifth place in the 2022 MASCAC standings with a 3-4 conference mark (9-11 overall).