VOLLEYBALL: AVCA Releases Top 25 Preseason Poll

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Across the nation, teams are pretty much trained and ready to go this week to begin their college volleyball seasons.

And, one of the signs that it's time for competition is the releasing of preseason polls. The American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll has been released and features some familiar names for Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball fans.

Grand Valley State begins the season ranked fourth in the nation. GLIAC teams mentioned among "others receiving votes" are: Saginaw Valley State and Northern Michigan.

Don't get too comfortable with this poll. The next one comes out Aug. 31.

AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll

1. Concordia-St. Paul (36), 800
2. Cal State San Bernardino, 760
3. Emporia State, 710
4. Grand Valley State, 692
5. West Texas A&M, 671
6. Nebraska-Kearney, 655
7. Minnesota Duluth, 572
8. Southwest Minnesota State, 549
9. Truman, 530
10. Tampa, 511
11. Washburn, 468
12. Central Missouri, 442
13. UC San Diego, 411
14. California (Pa.), 394
15. West Florida, 346
16. Florida Southern, 293
17. Pittsburg State, 269
18. Cal Poly Pomona, 247
19. Nova Southeastern, 213
20. Cal State L.A., 187
21. Lewis 150 31-8, NR
22. Augustana (S.D.), 126
23. Western Washington, 106
24. Western Oregon, 73
25. Wayne State (Neb.), 56

Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots: Minnesota State 39; Saginaw Valley State 25; Northern Kentucky 13; Dowling 11; Indianapolis 11; Sonoma State 10; Chico State 9; Wingate 9; Armstrong Atlantic State 6; Northern Michigan 2

Nine teams mentioned on only one ballot for a total of 33 combined points.

Next Poll: August 31, 2009