LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Aug. 25) – The California University of Pennsylvania volleyball team was slotted second in the preseason Pennsylvania (PSAC) Southwest Division poll, which was released on Thursday morning.

The league has adopted a new four-division format this season with each division featuring four teams. Each team will play its fellow division members twice while facing the remaining 12 teams once with all 18 league-mandated matches against conference opponents being reflected in the divisional standings.

Clarion was the overwhelming preseason favorite in the newly formed Southwest Division with 14 first-place votes after advancing to the finals of last year's PSAC Tournament. The Vulcans earned the remaining two first-place votes and placed second in the poll, while Seton Hill and IUP rounded out the division.

In the PSAC Central, Pitt-Johnstown was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 14 first-place votes. Defending-PSAC Champion Shippensburg received the final two first-place votes and ranked second with Lock Haven and Millersville completing the poll.

Edinboro was chosen as the preseason favorite in the PSAC Northwest with 11 first-place votes. Gannon finished second in the division and earned five first-place votes after advancing to the NCAA regional championship last year for the first time in two-plus decades. Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock rounded out the division in the poll.

In the PSAC Southwest, West Chester was selected the preseason favorite with 13 first-place votes. Kutztown garnered the remaining three first-place votes and ranked second, while East Stroudsburg and Cheyney closed out the preseason poll.

The PSAC has adopted a point structure for matches this season with victories in three or four sets resulting in three points for the winning team. For five-set matches, the winning team receives two points and the losing team will earn one point.

The top team in terms of points in each of the four divisions will receive an automatic qualifier to the PSAC Tournament, while the rest of the tournament field will feature at-large qualifiers determined by the highest remaining point totals. Also, the team with the most points in the 16-team conference will earn hosting rights for the tournament rather than the championship site rotating between divisions.

The Vulcans open the season next weekend at the Lock Haven Tournament on Sept. 2-3.