WINTHROP, Mass. – Johnson & Wales University narrowly bested second-place Rivier University in the 2016 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll, as voted upon by the league's 12 head coaches. Both teams received six first-place votes in the ledger, with JWU receiving one more point than Rivier, 138-137.

Johnson & Wales took down Rivier in the GNAC Championship contest last fall, as the Wildcats defeated the Raiders, 3-1, for their sixth league crown. The two schools have met six times in the GNAC Finals since 2002, with each program capturing three titles apiece during that span.

The defending champion Wildcats will open up the 2016 season on Friday, September 2 at the Brandeis Invitational, while the Raiders begin competition on the same date at the NYU Labor Day Invitational.

For the complete poll results, please see below.

Emmanuel College, a GNAC Tournament semifinalist a year ago, placed third in the poll with 115 points, while Simmons College was fourth with 99 points and Saint Joseph's College of Maine rounded out the top-five with 87 points. SJC also advanced to the GNAC semis last fall.

Saint Joseph's returns All-Conference honorees Victoria Huntley (Ellsworth, Maine) and Jennelle Thompson (Farmington, N.H.) from a team that posted a 27-6 overall record with an 8-3 mark versus GNAC foes last fall. Led by first-year Head Coach Alexis Michal, the Monks look to a solid corps of returners – including senior Shadai Gosselin (Somersworth, N.H.) and junior Jordynne Copp (Cumberland, Maine) – to help fill the void left by four-time All-Conference honoree Felicia Wachowiak '16, who graduated last spring.

St. Joe's opens the 2016 season with a home match versus Maine Maritime Academy this Friday at 8:00 PM. Opening service is slated for 8:00 PM at the Harold Alfond Center Gymnasium.

Lasell College came in at the sixth position with 84 points, followed by Anna Maria College with 70 points, the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) with 54 points, Mount Ida College and Suffolk University tied with 52 points, Norwich University with 28 points and Albertus Magnus College with 20 points.

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.

2016 GNAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll

1. Johnson & Wales (6) – 138

2. Rivier (6) – 137

3. Emmanuel – 115

4. Simmons – 99

5. Saint Joseph's of Maine – 87

6. Lasell – 84

7. Anna Maria – 70

8. USJ (Conn.) – 54

T9. Mount Ida – 52

T9. Suffolk – 52

11. Norwich – 28

12. Albertus Magnus - 20