FOREST, Va. – The Chris Miron Era has arrived in Greensboro and he looks to lead the Guilford College volleyball team to new heights in the 2025 season after the team was selected eighth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference offices on Thursday.

"The team has really worked hard this preseason and there is definitely a positive energy in the gym," Volleyball Head Coach, Chris Miron said. "Seeing that there is experienced leadership returning to the team this year, I think it has helped us be more focused and deliberate in practices and getting quality reps. There is no doubt in my mind that this team wants to continue where it left off last year and push further, seeing increased results in the conference. We are all very excited to start the competitive season."

The Quakers are a tough team to get a read on with equal pros and cons as the enter the 2025 season. First the downside, GC saw setter, and the engine that made them run for the last four seasons, Maddi Page '24, MBA '25 graduate last spring, leaving the team without their two-time All-ODAC distributor and the experience and leadership she brought with her. However, Guilford retains much of the rest of their rotation from 2024 and are oozing with experience. All of their top three hitters are back led by All-ODAC outside, and one of the conference's most well-rounded players, Natalie Moore (Talbott, Tenn.). A terrific server, posting 40 aces last season, fourth-most in the league, and defender, leading the Quakers in receptions, ranking second in digs, and third in total blocks, on top of her offensive exploits make her a great centerpiece. Some may be surprised, however, that Moore actually did not finish as the team leader in kills last season, as Chrisbel Alcantara (San Juan, Puerto Rico) enters her junior season following a breakout campaign in which she finished eighth in the league with 3.02 kills per set while swinging at a .203 clip, the best on the team (min. 350 TA). Meanwhile Kaci Johnson (Winterville, N.C.) provides a change of pace on the other side with her left-handed swing in addition to her skilled blocking after posting the second-most total rejections on the squad last fall. A full year of Madison Duvall (Sophia, N.C.), who hit .231 last season despite missing time, should fill a potential hole in the middle while a collection of other returners at the net could make the GC offense balanced and dynamic if one of their returning setters, Lacie Evans (Statesville, N.C.) and Jillian Mapes (Hodges, S.C.), or freshman Sheryangelis Cay Barbosa (Juncos, Puerto Rico), emerges to run the offense.

A similar group of defenders return for Guilford with sophomore Vivian Cavataio (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) standing out. Starting the season strong, opponents seemed to start avoiding her when on the attack and yet she still accrued 198 digs last fall, the third-most on the team, while also ranking fourth in receptions. Finishing last season strong after seeming to focus more defensively, Zoe Whisnant (Greensboro, N.C.) should have a big role as well after notching seven matches with eight-or-more digs, including four in double-digits, her final 11 contests. Those two will need some help, though, so more consistency from Amber Chiarolanzio (Deep Gap, N.C.) would go a long way to sure up this unit.

Opening the season up at the Cougar Classic, hosted by Averett, with four matches across two days on Friday, August 29^th and Saturday, August 30^th, Guilford begins their home slate with a clash opposite Meredith College on Tuesday, September 2^nd at 6:00 PM. They open ODAC action on Wednesday, September 10^th at Jack Jensen Court against Averett at 6:00 PM.
 

Rk.	School (First-Place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Washington & Lee University (11)	121 pts.
2.	Virginia Wesleyan University	100 pts.
3.	Bridgewater College	97 pts.
4.	University of Lynchburg (1)	90 pts.
5.	Randolph-Macon College	83 pts.
6.	Roanoke College	75 pts.
7.	Averett University	52 pts.
8.	Guilford College	47 pts.
9.	Eastern Mennonite University	43 pts.
10.	Randolph College	38 pts.
11.	Shenandoah University	35 pts.
12.	Hollins University	11 pts.

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