WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley University Falcons were slotted third in the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Volleyball preseason coaches' poll that was released on Thursday.

The top-three teams in the poll –  American International College, Adelphi University and Bentley – were tightly bunched. The Yellow Jackets were projected to finish first by the coaches, with eight first-place votes and 118 points. There was little separation between the Panthers and Falcons in the second and third spots. Adelphi picked up two first-place votes and 106 points and Bentley one first-place vote and 104 points.

Southern New Hampshire University also received one first-place vote, and was fourth with 94 points. The University of New Haven tallied 74 points to round out the top five.

The Falcons posted a  23-7 record last year, were NE10 co-regular season champions and were selected to the NCAA East Regional for a third straight season.

Head coach Joey Pacis' team looks poised for another strong year with a number of talented and experienced returning players. Graduate student outside hitter Ingrid Murphy (Cotuit/Barnstable) returns for her fifth-year. She was named first team All-Conference and honorable mention All-Region last season.

Senior outside hitter Ellie Wheeler (Olathe, Kans./Saint James Academy) returns as well coming off a season where she earned first team All-Conference honors. Senior setter Natalie Thom (Okemos, Mich./Okemos) ranked in the top-20 in assists per set in the NE10 last season (4.09), and junior libero Jazzy Burke (Lake George, N.Y./Lake George) ranked seventh in the conference in digs per set (3.96).

The team is a little over two weeks away from opening the 2023 season at the Sharks Invitational in Davie, Fla. The Falcons will play Dominican (N.Y.) and Seton Hill on Friday, Sept. 1 and Eckerd and the host Nova Southeastern the following day.

2023 NE10 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. American International – 118 (8)
2. Adelphi – 106 (2)
3. Bentley – 104 (1)
4. Southern New Hampshire – 94 (1)
5. New Haven – 74
6. Southern Connecticut – 69
7. Saint Anselm – 67
8. Saint Rose – 45
9. Franklin Pierce – 43
10. Pace – 34
11. Assumption – 25
12. Saint Michael's – 13