The Ashland University volleyball team has been picked to finish sixth in the 16-team GLIAC. The conference released the 2012 GLIAC Coaches' Preseason Poll today.
The Eagles finished with 167 points. Ferris State is the choice to win the conference. The Bulldogs received 211 points and 10 first place votes. Hillsdale was picked second with 193 points and one first place tally. Grand Valley State is third with a first place vote and 176 points. Saginaw Valley State captured the final first place vote. The Cardinals are picked to finish fourth with 173 points.
Wayne State barely edged out the Eagles for fifth place in the poll. The Warriors received 168 points.
The Eagles were 15-13 a year ago and advanced to the GLIAC Final Four. In league play AU went 12-7. Cass Dixon is in her second season as Ashland's head coach. She began rebuilding the program a year ago and this year, welcomes a recruiting class that should provide help at just about every position.
AU opens the season this Friday and Saturday (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) at the Truman State Days Inn Bulldog Invitational in Kirksville, Mo.
The complete GLIAC Coaches' Preseason Poll appears below.
| Place | School | Points |
| 1 | Ferris State (10) | 211 |
| 2 | Hillsdale (3) | 193 |
| 3 | Grand Valley State (1) | 176 |
| 4 | Saginaw Valley State (1) | 173 |
| 5 | Wayne State | 168 |
| 6 | Ashland | 167 |
| 7 | Northwood | 156 |
| 8 | Northern Michigan | 152 |
| 9 | Findlay | 115 |
| 10 | Ohio Dominican | 93 |
| 11 | Lake Superior | 75 |
| 12 | Tiffin | 73 |
| 13 | Walsh | 54 |
| 14 | Malone | 45 |
| 15 | Michigan Tech | 43 |
| 16 | Lake Erie | 25 |
AU
VB/ALK