When the America East preseason volleyball poll came out earlier this week, University of Maine coach Lynn Atherley did a double take.

Despite losing just three members of a team that made its second consecutive AE tournament appearance last season, the Black Bears were picked sixth in a vote by conference coaches.

“I think it’s shocking to finish where we did last year and still be picked sixth, although we did lose good players in the three seniors we graduated,” Atherley said. “But I love to be the underdog. I hope they don’t think we’re as good as we were, because we’re ahead of where we were last year at this time.”

That’s good because Maine opens its 2006 season this weekend on the road against some solid competition at the Cincinnati Tournament. The season starts with a flurry Friday as Maine plays two matches: the first against Tennessee Tech and the second three hours later against Western Michigan. Saturday afternoon, the Bears take on Cincinnati.

“I’m really excited even though we have such a tough weekend,” said Atherley, who’s entering her third season as head coach. “I think we have a lot of what I wanted [two years ago] in place right now. We wanted to build a gutsy team that just wants to compete and win and we have that now.”

The Bears return 10 letter-winners and four starters from last season’s squad led by senior setter, co-captain, and 2005 All-America East first team selection Shelly Seipp.

“She’s 5-5 in her stocking feet, but she’s big for us,” said Atherley. “Her leadership really gets us going on the court.”

Seipp, who has played in every UMaine game since her freshman season, led the conference with 994 assists last season and is looking to eclipse the 900-assist mark for a fourth straight season.

Sophomores and 2005 AE all-rookie team members Lindsay Allman and Amy Lawson lead a talented group of sophomores that will be integral to the team’s success.

“We’re still very young with eight sophomores and two freshmen, but our sophomores are more experienced than most,” said Atherley.

Middle blocker Lawson was third in the league with 0.96 blocks per game and outside hitter Allman was sixth with 3.4 digs per game.

Senior libero (defensive specialist) Jody Connacher was third in the AE with 4.3 digs per game last year.

Lawson, fellow sophomores Brittany Kiehl and Margaret Page, and freshman Amanda Armstrong make the middle a strength for the Bears.

“Lawson started all year last year and should continue to dominate. Kiehl didn’t play a lot in the fall, but in the spring, she really improved,” Atherley said. “Armstrong will start too. She has this ability to make everyone else play better when she’s in there. She has a fire. Page didn’t play last year, but she will this year and gives us a lot of depth there.”

Allman is the team’s most experienced outside hitter, but sophomore transfer Laura Goettsch has impressed.

“Allman is our best ball control player and Goettsch is one of the most powerful players I’ve ever coached,” she said.

Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Wolfenden didn’t play a lot last fall, but she’ll get lots of playing time this year as both a setter and a hitter.

“She’s a thin girl, looking at her frame, but she’s quick and powerful,” said Atherley.

Unlike last year, there isn’t anyone who won’t get some playing time this season. Atherley expects to use 13 players regularly.

Concerns? Just one.

“”I would say we have decent ball control, but ball control is also our biggest question mark,” Atherley said. “If we get it to where we need it to be, our offense could be spectacular.”