The Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad and new head coach Will Condon have been picked to finish the 2008 season second in a preseason poll of the Peach Belt Conference’s coaches, released today by league officials. The Pirates received one first-place vote and 19 points total to be picked behind only Lander, who received three first place votes and 23 points total. Defending PBC champion USC Aiken is picked third with one first place vote and 16 points, followed by Francis Marion (13), UNC Pembroke (10) and Augusta State (9).

 AASU finished third in the league in 2007 with a 5-5 mark and has finished in the top three of the PBC standings each year since 1999. The Pirates return five players from last season’s squad, including All-PBC outside hitter Gwen Clarke and 2006 All-PBC player Rindy Vidovich, while welcoming in seven newcomers.
 

The Pirates open the 2008 season at the Anderson (S.C.) Invitational on August 29 and 30.