Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball picked sixth in MVC Preseason Coaches Poll
08/12/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 12, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The defending regular-season and State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion UNI volleyball team has been tabbed as the league favorite in the annual coaches' preseason poll, receiving all 10 first-place votes. The Panthers tallied 100 points and were a sound favorite over second-place pick Missouri State (86 points) and Wichita State (80 points). Creighton, who totaled 63 points overall, was picked to finish in the fourth position.
Drake was selected in fifth place with 61 points, followed closely by Southern Illinois in sixth (56) with the highest point total since Winkeler took over the Saluki program in 2005.
Illinois State (38), Evansville (31), Indiana State (19) and Bradley (16) round out the final four positions in the poll.
The Salukis were picked sixth for the fourth time in the last five years.
"I don't put a lot of stock in preseason polls," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "I'm more disappointed that Jen Berwanger wasn't recognized on the preseason all-MVC team after earning first team honors the last two seasons. Jen is the type of player that isn't concerned with those kind of accolades, she just wants what is best for her team. As for being picked sixth, we've been knocking on the door, now is the time to push ourselves to get into the top of the league."
Two players each from WSU, MSU and UNI were picked on the preseason team.
The Valley will look to continue to build off the success of another historic season in 2009 that saw two league teams earning bids into the NCAA Tournament. State Farm MVC Tournament champion UNI was joined by at-large selection Wichita State in post-season play. With first-round wins over Washington State and Saint Louis, respectively, it marked just the second time in MVC history that two teams advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the same season (2006 - Missouri State and UNI). The Panthers finished the season with a 31-3 record, tying for the fourth most wins in NCAA Division I, while also achieving the second-best winning streak (29-straight matches) of 2009, behind only national champion and undefeated Penn State.
The foundation is in place as league teams return 40 starters and seven liberos (67 percent of starters), 10 of 13 first-team all-conference players and another two players who earned second-team accolades.
Southern Illinois welcomes back five starters, plus the libero, from a 2009 team that saw the Salukis finish with their best record since 2002. Two-time all-MVC senior outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger, who led the team in kills last season, returns as the catalyst of the Saluki offense. Senior right side Alicia Johnson and senior outside hitter Sydney Clark, will add to the Saluki offensive prowess. 2009 All-Freshman team setter Rachael Brown will distribute the Saluki offense, while junior defensive specialist Lauren Blumhorst will hold down the backline.
The 2010 regular-season campaign begins Friday, Aug. 27, with all 10 teams in tournament action. Northern Iowa will host the State Farm MVC Championship, Nov. 25-27, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
2010 MVC Volleyball Preseason Poll
School (1st-Place Votes) Pts.
UNI (10) 100
Missouri State 86
Wichita State 80
Creighton 63
Drake 61
Southern Illinois 56
Illinois State 38
Evansville 31
Indiana State 19
Bradley 16
2010 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team
Player, School, Pos., Yr.
Ellie Blankenship, UNI, L, Sr.
Cara Hackmann, Missouri State, L, Sr.
Mary Elizabeth Hooper, Wichita State, S, Jr.
Sarah McGee, Wichita State, MB, Sr.
Calli Norman, Missouri State, MB, Jr.
Bre Payton, UNI, S, Jr.
