LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — In the newly realigned volleyball divisions for the PSAC, Pitt-Johnstown, Edinboro, West Chester, and Clarion have been selected as the favorites.

(Photo of Clarion University’s Mackenzie Biggs. Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)

The four division format is new to the conference this year, previously having been in two divisions. The layout of the new divisions can be found below.

CENTRAL: Lock Haven, Millersville, Pitt-Johnstown, Shippensburg

NORTHWEST: Edinboro, Gannon, Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock

SOUTHEAST: Cheyney, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, West Chester

SOUTHWEST: California, Clarion, IUP, Seton Hill

The winner of each division will earn a bid to the conference tournament, with four additional teams earning at-large bids. Seeding for the tournament will be based on record in conference mandated matches.

Pitt-Johnstown earns the nod over the defending conference champions from Shippensburg. UPJ went 19-3 in conference play last year, the best mark in the league. However, the Lady Cats were eliminated in the semifinals of the conference tournament and the opening round of regional tournament.

UPJ will return four all-conference players from last year, including the PSAC East Athlete of the Year, Kendall Mahony. In addition to Mahony, Pitt-Johnstown swept every major awards category in all-conference voting in 2015. Devan Orr was named the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, Maura Brehl was named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year, and Joanna Haupt was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year. All of those award winners will be back on the court in 2016.

Pitt-Johnstown received 14 of a possible 16 first place votes, while Shippensburg received a pair of first place votes. Three-time all-conference selection Maura Nolan is back for the Raiders this season, as is Morgan DeFloria, the MVP of the 2015 PSAC Championship.

In the Northwest Division, Edinboro has been tabbed as the favorites, earning 11 first place votes. The Fighting Scots will return the PSAC West Athlete of the Year from 2015, Challen Litwiler. All-PSAC selections Sydney Trathen and Victoria Severo also return for EU.

Gannon received the other five first place nods in the division, as three-time all-conference honoree Hannah Kren returns for her senior season. GU advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Final last year, falling to the eventual national champions from Wheeling Jesuit.

In the Southeast Division, West Chester garnered 13 first place votes. WCU upset Pitt-Johnstown in the NCAA Tournament last season as the seventh seed. The Golden Rams have one all-conference player returning in Jillian Grammar, who was named All-PSAC Second Team in her freshman year.

Kutztown picked up three first places votes in second place, but will have to overcome the graduation of Audrey Stringer, a three-time All-PSAC First Team selection.

In the Southwest Division, Clarion takes the top spot with 14 first place votes. The Golden Eagles have two all-conference honorees last season returning this year in Mackenzie Biggsand Taylor Braunagel. Clarion advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Semifinals last year, defeating Edinboro in the opening round.

California earned a pair of first place votes and was voted second in the division.

The complete preseason poll can be found below. Coaches were asked to vote for each division. First place votes are in parenthesis.

CENTRAL
1. Pitt-Johnstown (14)
2. Shippensburg (2)
3. Lock Haven
4. Millersville

NORTHWEST
1. Edinboro (11)
2. Gannon (5)
3. Mercyhurst
4. Slippery Rock

SOUTHEAST
1. West Chester (13)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Cheyney

SOUTHWEST
1. Clarion (14)
2. California (2)
3. Seton Hill
4. IUP