Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball Picked Sixth in Preseason MVC Poll
08/15/2007 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 15, 2007
www.siusalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team has been picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference, according to a poll of league coaches announced today.
Sixth-place is even with last year's pick and last season's finish. The Salukis tied for sixth in the final standings a year ago, just missing entry into the MVC tournament.
With a new crop of talented freshmen and a solid class of returnees, SIU hopes to exceed expectations.
"It is an encouraging ranking," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "After losing five seniors, it is positive that we maintained the sixth spot that we finished in last year. However, pre-season rankings are just that, a sketch of what is to happen in the MVC. With two teams receiving votes in the pre-season national poll (UNI, Wichita State) it should be a very competitive league this year."
Northern Iowa earned seven first place votes to earn the spot as the preseason favorite. The defending conference regular-season and tournament champion Panthers posted 97 points in the voting, including seven first-place nods.
Wichita State was second with 85 points, including one first-place vote. Creighton (81) was picked third earning two first-place votes, while Missouri State (71) and Illinois State (65) fell fourth and fifth. Rounding out the bottom half of the poll were the Salukis with 39 points, Evansville (38), Bradley (33), Drake (28) and Indiana State (13).
The preseason all-MVC picks include Kelly Goc (Creighton), Abby Harsh (Wichita State), Angela Jakubov (Wichita State), Erin Lindsey (Illinois State), Sara Lungren (Wichita State), Katelyn Panzau (Missouri State), M.C. Richmond (Illinois State) and Laura Rowen (UNI).
The Salukis return all four starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team that finished 11-17 (6-12 MVC) under Winkeler. The team opens exhibition play Saturday at the Saluki Alumni Game before opening the regular season at the Morehead State Tournament, Aug. 24-25.
2007 MVC Preseason Poll
1. Northern Iowa (7) 97
2. Wichita State (1) 85
3. Creighton (2) 81
4. Missouri State 71
5. Illinois State 65
6. Southern Illinois 39
7. Evansville 38
8. Bradley 33
9. Drake 28
10. Indiana State 13
2007 Preseason All-MVC Team
Kelly Goc, Creighton
Abby Harsh, Wichita State
Angela Jakubov, Wichita State
Erin Lindsey, Illinois State
Sara Lungren, Wichita State
Katelyn Panzau, Missouri State
M.C. Richmond, Illinois State
Laura Rowen, Northern Iowa
