Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball picked sixth in preseason MVC poll
08/21/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 21, 2008
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Southern Illinois University volleyball team has been picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference, according to a poll of league coaches announced today.
The sixth-place pick matches last year's ranking when the Salukis went on to make their first post-season appearance since 2002 at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Head coach Brenda Winkeler says she expected the sixth-place pick since the top five teams have occupied those spots in recent years.
"The positive part I take away is that there is a bigger gap between Evansville and a narrower gap to Illinois State," Winkeler said. "Polls are polls though, we finished sixth last season, that's just how it is."
Wichita State received four first-place votes to earn the spot as preseason favorite, posting 91 total points. Northern Iowa came in second with 84 points and two first-place votes. Creighton (81) received three first-place votes, while Missouri State (73) ranked third with one first-place vote. Illinois State (67) grabbed the fifth spot ahead of Southern Illinois (52) at No. 6. Rounding out the poll were Evansville (34), Drake (31), Bradley (25), and Indiana State (12).
Preseason All-MVC picks include Shannon Aschoff (Northern Iowa), Korie Lebeda (Creighton), Erin Lindsey (Illinois State), M.C. Richmond (Illinois State), Sara Staubach (Missouri State), Ashten Stelken (Northern Iowa), Emily Stockman (Wichita State), and Stephanie Tokarz (Wichita State.)
SIU returns all six starters and libero, following last season's 15-16 (7-11 MVC) finish.
"Now we can work on more advanced shots and different things," Winkeler says. "We can start training on things that we will need to be at the top of the league. That maturity is definitely going to help us."
SIU opens play at the Niagara University Tournament Aug. 29-30 in Niagara, N.Y. The Salukis will kick off their home schedule with the Saluki Invitational Sept. 12-13.
