LORETTO, Pa. (Dec. 13, 2011) – When the new semester begins in January, the Saint Francis University men's volleyball team will begin their season, looking to build upon a fourth place predicted finish in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.
 
“I think we will be in the middle of the pack, like predicted, but I also think this will be the most competitive the league has ever been from top to bottom,” head coach Mike Rumbaugh said.
 
In the recent realignment of the league, this year's EIVA will do away with the two-division system and merge into one, eight-team conference. Based on the preseason coaches poll, the Red Flash is predicted to place in fourth in the 2012 season.
 
SFU finished fifth in the Tait Division last season, earning them a trip to the EIVA quarterfinals, where they fell to Rutgers-Newark in three sets. However, this year's EIVA tournament will feature only the top four teams. If the Red Flash can finish where predicted or higher, they will make a return trip to the conference tournament.

Last season's EIVA champions Penn State are poised to repeat, topping the preseason list and garnering seven first place votes. George Mason received one first place vote and is slated to finish as the regular season runner-up. Just ahead of the Flash in third is Sacred Heart.
 
Saint Francis kicks off the 2012 campaign at home Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. when Ball State visits Loretto.
 
EIVA 2012 Preseason Prediction
1. Penn State (7)
2. George Mason (1)
3. Sacred Heart
4. Saint Francis
5. Princeton
6. Harvard
7. NJIT
8. Rutgers-Newark