WALTHAM, Mass. – Coming off a 19-10 season, the Bentley University Falcons were one of five teams who received first-place votes in the Northeast-10 Conference women's volleyball preseason coaches poll, which was released Tuesday.

Bentley was fourth overall in the voting with 162 points with coach Joey Pacis' team trailing defending champion New Haven (179), American International (169) and Southern Connecticut State (168). Adelphi University followed in fifth as only 18 points separated the top five.

New Haven edged crosstown rival Southern Connecticut in terms of first-place votes, 6-4. Adelphi received three and both Bentley and AIC collected one.

Bentley returns three players who were recognized when the All-Conference teams were announced following the 2017 season. Junior Dani Milner (Plano, Texas/The Greenhill School) was voted to the first team, classmate Rachel Bruno (San Diego, Calif./Francis Parker HS) was tabbed for the second team and the All-Rookie team included sophomore Kirsten Segaline (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS).

Bentley will open its season on Aug. 25 with a triangular match at Georgian Court in Lakewood, N.J. Labor Day weekend will be spent in Daytona Beach, Fla. for a tournament at Embry-Riddle University and the Falcons will open their home season Sept. 14 against Bridgeport.

NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON COACHES POLL.