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LEXINGTON, Ky. − The Flagler College volleyball is ranked No. 22 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Division II Coaches Preseason Top 25 which was released this afternoon.

The Saints (36-9 overall in 2009, 13-1 in conference play) received a total of 115 votes for the preseason poll and is the only team from either the Peach Belt Conference or the Southeast Region to be ranked. Wingate University received 13 votes for the poll. Flagler and Wingate will meet twice during the season (Sept. 4, at Lees-McRae, and Sept. 15, at Wingate).

Flagler finished the 2009 season ranked No. 22 after having won the Peach Belt regular and post season titles as well as the Southeast Region crown and capped the season by advancing all the way to the national semifinals.

Three-time defending national champion Concordia University-St. Paul (Minn.) tops the rankings with 788 points and received 29 of a possible 32 first-place votes. National semifinalist from last year, California State University-San Bernardino, tallied 760 points and grabbed two first-place votes and is ranked No. 2. Ranked third is the University of Tampa with 729 points and the Spartans recorded the remaining first-place vote. The University of Indianapolis (692) and the University of Central Missouri round out the top five at fourth and fifth place, respectively.

The Saints return three starters, including the libero, from last year's team. Flagler opens the 2010 season at the Carolinas Challenge in Banner Elk, N.C., hosted by Lees-McRae College.