The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) has announced the Preseason Volleyball Poll, and the Panthers are picked to finish 12th in the conference.

Washington and Lee University, the reigning ODAC champion collected 144 points and 12 first-place votes to get the No. 1 slot in the poll. Virginia Wesleyan University is picked to finish second, with 122 points and one first-place vote. Randolph-Macon College rounded out the top three, with 119 points.

Ferrum is led by  head coach Shelbylynn Adiar, who is in her first season at the helm for the Panthers.

Volleyball Preseason Poll (First-place votes)
1. Washington and Lee University (12) 144 pts.
2. Virginia Wesleyan University (1)  122 pts.
3. Randolph-Macon College  119 pts.
4. Averett University  106 pts.
5. Bridgewater College  102 pts.
6. University of Lynchburg  92 pts.
7. Eastern Mennonite University  84 pts.
8. Roanoke College  70 pts.
9. Shenandoah University 58 pts.
10. Guilford College 42 pts.
11. Randolph College  38 pts.
12. Ferrum College 23 pts.
13. Hollins University 14 pts.

The Panthers open the season Sept. 3 at Mary Baldwin University in a tri-match against Virginia Union University with a start time of 12 p.m. and then later at 3 p.m. against Mary Baldwin in Staunton, VA. ODAC play begins at Bridgewater College Sept. 21, 7 p.m. in Bridgewater, VA.