New York, N.Y.- The Villanova volleyball team is predicted to finish second in the BIG EAST East Division in the spring 2021 season.  Also redshirt junior middle hitter Sophia Howling was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. 

This season the conference has split the 11 team conference into two regions the East and Midwest.  The Wildcats are joined in the East Division by St. John's, Connecticut, Seton Hall, and Providence. The Hoyas have opted out for the spring 2021 season.   Creighton, Marquette, DePaul, Xavier and Butler make up the Midwest Division of the conference. 

Villanova was picked to finish second in the East Division receiving 13 points and one first place vote.  The Red Storm were picked first in the Division receiving four first place votes and 16 total.  UConn is in third with eight, Seton Hall is next with seven, and Providence is fifth with six. 

Howling last season was named to the All-BIG EAST team and finished with 222 kills and 114 blocks.  Her total blocks were third best in the conference.  In conference play she totaled 140 kills, 49 blocks, and had a career best day against DePaul when she registered 19 kills. 

The Wildcats will begin their season on February 11^th when they host the La Salle Explorers. 
 
Preseason Coaches Polls
First-place votes in parenthesis
 

East Division	Midwest Division
1. St. John's (4) 16	1. Creighton (3) 15
2. Villanova (1) 13	2. Marquette (2) 14
3. Connecticut 8	3. DePaul 8
4. Seton Hall 7	4. Xavier 7
5. Providence 6	5. Butler 6

 
Preseason Player of the Year
Efronsini Alexakou, St. John's, Jr., OH
 
Preseason All-Conference
Melody Davidson, BU    
Keeley Davis, CU            
Erica Kostelec, CU          
Jaela Zimmerman, CU ^
Donna Brown, DPU ^    
Hannah Vanden Berg, MU         
Hope Werch, MU ^       
Taylor Wolf, MU            
Jennifer Leitman, PC     
Efronsini Alexakou, SJU ^           
Rachele Rastelli, SJU ^  
Sophia Howling, VU       
Lauren Hanlon, XU