LANCASTER, Pa. – Defending Centennial Conference Champion, Johns Hopkins was picked as the favorite in the 2022 Centennial Volleyball preseason poll, based on balloting of the conference coaches.

The Blue Jays, who have won five-straight Centennial tournament titles, earned nine of the 11 first-place votes for 99 points overall. While Haverford (84) and Swarthmore (81) finished second and third in the voting, each earning one first-place vote. Franklin & Marshall checked in at fourth with 77 points, followed by Gettysburg in fifth with 68 points and Dickinson in sixth with 54 points. Rounding out the field were Muhlenberg in seventh (38), McDaniel in eighth (35), Washington College in ninth (30), Ursinus in tenth (29), and Bryn Mawr in 11th (10). 

The 2022 Centennial Conference volleyball season kicks off on Thursday, September 1, with a full weekend slate of non-conference action. The first round of the Centennial volleyball tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, November 2. 

2022 Schedule | 2021 Results | 2021 Championship Results | 2021 All-Centennial Team | 2021 Statistical Leaders | Record Book | AVCA Preseason Poll

In 2021, Johns Hopkins had a record-setting season breaking the NCAA Division III record for consecutive victories with a 66-match win streak ending in the NCAA Sweet 16. The Blue Jays will look to claim their ninth Centennial title after completing an undefeated regular season (29-0) a year ago. 

Two conference teams received recognition in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches' Top-25 Preseason Poll, as the Blue Jays ranked ninth and Haverford also received votes. 

Seven All-Centennial players and a trio of All-Region and All-Americans will be back on the court this season. Headlining the returners this year are Gettysburg’s Zanze Kuba-McCoy (2019 2nd team All-CC, 2021 1st team All-CC, 2021 1st team all-region, 2021 HM All-America ), Dickinson's Emma Lange (2019 2nd team All-CC, 2021 1st team All-CC, 2021 1st team all-region, 2021 HM All-America), and 2021 CC Rookie of the Year Juliet Young, Haverford (2021 1st team All-CC, 2021 1st team all-region, 2021 1st team All-CC, 2021 HM All-America). 

Other returning all-conference standouts include Swarthmore’s Kaylee Zhang (2021 2nd team All-CC), Ursinus’ Katie Cressman (2021 HM All-CC), Haverford’s Taylor Jones (2021 HM All-CC), and Muhlenberg’s Alyssa Faville (2021 HM All-CC). 

2022 Centennial Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll