WINTHROP, Mass. – After posting a winning record in conference play for the sixth straight season, the Regis College women's volleyball team was picked to finish in fifth place by the coaches of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, as the preseason poll was released by the league office Wednesday.

The Pride finished in fifth place in the GNAC standings in 2017 with a 7-5 conference record. Regis lost to Lasell in the quarterfinals of the GNAC Tournament to conclude the 2017 season with a 12-16 overall record.

After winning every match during the regular season, sweeping through the GNAC Tournament, and using home court advantage to win the NCAA Regional to advance to the Elite Eight, Johnson & Wales was the unanimous selection as the preseason favorite with 169 points. The Wildcats will face the Pride during Regis Fest Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m.

All 13 coaches listed the same three teams in the same order on their preseason ballots, as second place Simmons follows Johnson & Wales with 156 points, ahead of third place Rivier with 143 points. Lasell finished in fourth place in the poll with 116 points, with Regis close behind in fifth place with 103 points.

Conference newcomer Colby-Sawyer ended up in sixth place with 99 points, just ahead of seventh place Suffolk with 97 points and eighth place Saint Joseph's of Maine with 87 points. Emmanuel sits in ninth place in the poll with 74 points, followed by Albertus Magnus (51 points), Norwich (41 points), Saint Joseph (Conn.) (25 points), and Anna Maria (22 points).

Regis opens the 2018 campaign at home against Eastern Connecticut State Friday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. at Higgins Court. The Pride will play 16 home matches this season.