Central Michigan and Ohio Top Mid American Conference Preseason Volleyball Poll
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Central Michigan University and Ohio University top this year's MAC Volleyball Preseason Poll as voted on by the leagues head coaches. CMU was also chosen to win the regular season and Ohio was picked to win the tournament title.
The Chippewas have finished second in the West Division the last three seasons. CMU returns two All-MAC selections in 2010 in Lauren Krupsky and Kaitlyn Schultz. Lauren Krupsky is just 128 kills shy of becoming the 13th member of Central Michigan's 1,000 kill club. She enters the season with 872 kills after posting a career-best 413 as a junior. She would become the third player under head coach Erik Olson to reach the mark.
Reigning MAC Champion Ohio is looking to make its eight consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament this season. The Bobcats return two All-MAC players in Sue Jacobi and Michelle Jantsch. Jacobi, the returning leader in points for Ohio, will try and help the team pick up where it left off in 2009, leading the league in kills, hitting percentage and blocks. Jantsch, a two-time All-MAC first teamer, is one of the top players in the conference and could become the Bobcats' career leader in assists this season.
Western Michigan was tabbed to finish second in the West Division after falling last season to Ohio in the MAC Tournament Championship match for the second year in a row. The Broncos return four letter winners from last season's 24-win team that finished 13-3 in the MAC. Highlighting the WMU returners are First Team All-MAC outside hitter Allyson Doyle and 2009 MAC Freshman of the Year middle blocker Jessica Brown. Doyle finished last season with 325 kills, hitting .281, 459 digs and 100 blocks (all were career highs). Brown was voted as the best freshman in the conference by league coaches after leading WMU with a .288 attack percentage and 109 blocks, in addition to 396 kills, the most of any returning player on the roster.
Miami was picked to finish second in the East Division after finishing second last season with a MAC record of 11-5. The RedHawks return two starters and a libero from last year's team. Leading the returners is second team All-MAC selection Michele Metzler who finished third on the team with 254 kills, and led the team with 104 blocks (12 solo) in 2009. Head coach Carolyn Condit will reach a milestone in the fourth game of the season against Kentucky where she will coach her 1,000th game.
Rounding out the West Division were Northern Illinois, Toledo, Ball State and Eastern Michigan. In the East Division Buffalo, Kent State, Bowling Green and Akron, respectfully.
The 2010 volleyball season kicks off August 27 with non-conference play and the MAC season begins September 24th. Follow MAC Volleyball throughout the season at www.mac-sports.com.
West Division
1. Central Michigan (7)
2. Western Michigan (5)
3. Northern Illinois
4. Toledo
5. Ball State
6. Eastern Michigan
East Division
1. Ohio (10)
2. Miami (2)
3. Buffalo
4. Kent State
5. Bowling Green
6. Akron
MAC Regular Season Champion - Central Michigan (5)
MAC Tournament Champion - Ohio (6)
