LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL PAGE
LINK – 2017 GLIAC VOLLEYBALL POLL PAGE
After making the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2016, Ashland University volleyball has been chosen to finish first in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division by conference head coaches in the 2017 preseason poll that was released on Thursday (Aug. 3) morning.
The Eagles received 98 voting points, second overall in the 12-team conference behind the North Division's Ferris State (121, 11 first-place votes). AU's intradivisional opponent, Grand Valley State, received the other first-place vote.
At 23-11, Ashland completed last season with its best win percentage and highest win total since 2013. The 2016 campaign included a nine-match win streak, as well as an undefeated home record at 11-0.
2017 ASHLAND VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
The Eagles will boast a 2016 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention outside hitter in sophomore Shelby Woycik. Sophomore Sophi Cudworth and junior Reanne Neal come back having filled the middle blocker position last year, while finishing 14th and 15th in the GLIAC in blocks per set. Ashland's starting setter, junior Kayla Pfeiffer, also returns. Her 1,246 assists last season ranked sixth in the conference.
Ashland will host the Ashland University Tournament to open the season and play Urbana and Truman at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sept. 1 in Kates Gymnasium. That tournament runs through Sept. 2.
2017 GLIAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
North Division
1. Ferris State - 121 (11)
2. Saginaw Valley - 82
3. Michigan Tech - 76
4. Northern Michigan - 66
5. Northwood - 40
6. Lake Superior State - 20
South Division
1. ASHLAND - 98
2. Grand Valley State - 97 (1)
3. Wayne State - 93
4. Tiffin - 50
5. Davenport - 33
6. Purdue Northwest - 16
RECENT GLIAC PRESEASON POLLS/FINISHES
| SEASON | POLL | FINISH |
|
2016 |
Second in South Division |
Second in South Division |
|
2015 |
Second in South Division |
Third in South Division |
|
2014 |
First in South Division |
Fifth in South Division |
|
2013 |
First in South Division |
First in South Division |
|
2012 |
Sixth Overall |
First in South Division |
AU
VB/KK