July 23, 2008

PHILADELPHIA- Temple has been picked to visit first in the Atlantic 10 East Division in voting conducted by the league’s head coaches in the Atlantic 10 volleyball preseason poll released today. The Owls were tabbed to seize their fourth consecutive division title, while Saint Louis was picked to finish first in the West Division.

The Cherry and White compiled a mark of 9-4 in Conference play last season and were 16-20 overall. Temple downed Fordham, 3-1, in the opening round of the 2007 A-10 Volleyball Championship before dropping a 3-1 decision to eventual champion Dayton in the semifinals.

The Owls are anchored by junior outside hitter Yun Yi Zhang, who led the Conference in kills (584) a year ago en route to being named to the All-Conference Second Team.

Temple opens its season against Manhattan College on August 29 at 4:30 p.m. in McGonigle Hall.