Norcross, Ga. - Poised to repeat as Conference Champions, the Lee University volleyball team has been unanimously selected by the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) coaches as the favorite to capture the 2010 SSAC Volleyball Championship. In the challenging league competition last season, the Lady Flames finished first in the regular season with an impressive conference record of 12-0 and an overall record of 38-6 and advanced to the semifinals of the NAIA National Championship.

In points based on coaches' voting, this year's expanded version of league play is projected to be just as highly competitive as 2009. Second to Lee's 121 points is conference newcomer, University of Mobile with 109 points. Last year's runner-up, Shorter University was voted to finish third overall and second in the East Division.

This year, eleven teams will be competing for eight spots in the post season SSAC Tournament Championships. The first round of the SSAC Championship Tournament begins on Friday, November 13 and concludes on Saturday, November 13, being held at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gulfport, Mississippi. The winner of the tournament will receive the automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

Below is the complete 2010 SSAC Volleyball Preseason Volleyball Poll:

Overall Preseason Poll

1 - Lee (11) - 121
2 - Mobile - 109
3 - Shorter - 88
4 - Loyola - 79
5 - Columbia - 66
6 - Spring Hill - 46
7 - Belhaven - 40
8 - Faulkner - 43

Divisional Polls

EAST
1 - Lee (6) - 36
2 - Shorter - 30
3 - Columbia - 22
4 - Brenau - 16
5 - Brewton-Parker - 11
5 - Southern Wesleyan - 11

WEST
1 - Mobile (5) - 25
2 - Loyola - 20
3 - Belhaven - 11
4 - Spring Hill - 10
5 - Faulkner - 9