Bruin volleyball expected to repeat as MCAC champions
Defending champs top MCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll...
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. - Bellevue University has been picked as the favorite to win the 2014 MCAC women's volleyball championship according to the MCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll released today.
The Bruins return three letterwinners and two starters from last season's team which went undefeated (12-0) in conference play, finishing with a 34-9 overall record and a No. 25 national ranking
Bellevue will welcome 10 newcomers to the 2014 roster. Key returnees include third team All-American setter Beth Walker and two-time all-MCAC middle blocker Symone Faulkner, as well as rightside hitter LaJaida Even.
Three-time all-conference rightside hitter Sunny Bell will redshirt the 2014 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2013.
In addition to Bell, the Bruins will need to replace All-American outside hitter Annie Benson, all-conference outside hitter Caitlyn Rueth, all-MCAC middle blocker Sydney DeBoer, and three-time all-MCAC libero Meghan Evans, who finished her career ranked second in school history with 2,351 digs.
College of the Ozarks, which posted a 10-1 MCAC record last season, compiled a 23-15 overall record in 2013 to earn the No. 2 position in the 2014 preseason league rankings.
Waldorf College placed third in the conference coaches' poll. The Warriors recorded a 24-24 overall (9-4 MCAC) record a year ago.
Rounding out the preseason poll are College of Saint Mary (4th), Oklahoma Wesleyan University (5th), York College (6th), Haskell Indian Nations University (7th), Central Christian College (8th) and Central Baptist College (9th).
Bellevue will open the 2014 season next Thursday-Friday, Aug. 21-22 at the Biola Tournament in La Mirada, Calif.
2014 MCAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Bellevue University * #
2. College of the Ozarks
3. Waldorf College
4. College of Saint Mary
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
6. York College
7. Haskell Indian Nations University
8. Central Christian College
9. Central Baptist College
*2013 MCAC Regular Season Champions
#2013 MCAC Tournament Champions