CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 24, 2016) - On Wednesday, the LIU Post volleyball team was picked to finish third in the East Coast Conference in 2016, according to the league's annual preseason coaches' poll.

The Pioneers, who collected 48 points in the tally, return four starters from last year's squad that posted their fourth-straight 20-plus win season and secured a bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Junior outside/middle/right-side hitter Danielle Valenza (Hauppauge, N.Y.) led the team in kills (329) in 2015, en route to claiming All-ECC first-team and AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention accolades. Sophomore setter Giulia Genna (Rome, Italy) was named an All-ECC Honorable Mention performer as a rookie, after dishing out the fourth-most assists (1,163) in the conference.

LIU Post also welcomes back one of its own to take the reins of the program. Former Pioneer setter Amanda Ostapow will lead the green and gold in her inaugural campaign as head coach.

New York Institute of Technology won the top spot in the poll, in a neck-and-neck battle with University of Bridgeport. NYIT received 60 points and four first-place votes, while UB earned 58 points and four first-place nods.

The Pioneers start up the 2016 season on Saturday, Sept. 3, when they travel to Cheyney, Pa. to face Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Nyack College in a tri-match at 11 a.m.

2016 ECC Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. NYIT (Four First-Place Votes) - 60 Points
2. Bridgeport (Four First-Place Votes) - 58 Points
3. LIU Post - 48 Points
4. Daemen - 34 Points
5. Queens - 32 Points
6. Molloy - 28 Points
T-7. Mercy - 14 Points
T-7. Roberts Wesleyan - 14 Points