The Doane College volleyball team has been picked to finish sixth in the GPAC in 2008 by the conference coaches, a role that the team will use for motivation. The Tigers are coming off a rough season, finishing 16-13 overall and 10-6 in the conference. Senior Chelsee Marvin, a Second Team All-GPAC performer, returns to lead the Tiger offense and defense up the middle at the net. Ashley Sluka, an honorable mention honoree, returns at setter while fellow senior Amy Janky returns in the back row. Below is the release from the GPAC office.
(release from the GPAC office)
Northwestern College, after a trip to the NAIA National Tournament quarterfinal round in 2007, is the GPAC coaches' pick to win the league title in 2008. The Red Raiders, coached by Kyle Van Den Bosch, compiled a 31-12 overall record last fall and placed second in the conference with a 13-3 record. Northwestern totaled 140 points and nine first place votes in the poll. Morningside, who posted a 33-4 mark last fall and won the regular and postseason league championships, is tabbed number two in the preseason with 129 points and three first place votes. Dordt was picked third in the vote with 122 points, while Hastings is fourth with 115 points and the final first place vote.
The 2008 GPAC volleyball season will once again consist of 16 conference matches with 13 teams competing for the conference crown. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team in the preseason poll.
Here is the complete 2008 GPAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll:
Place | School | Points | First Place Votes |
1. | Northwestern | 140 | 9 |
2. | Morningside | 129 | 3 |
3. | Dordt | 122 | |
4. | Hastings | 115 | 1 |
5. | Briar Cliff | 97 | |
6. | Doane | 94 | |
7. | Nebraska Wesleyan | 72 | |
8. | Concordia | 64 | |
9. | Midland Lutheran | 60 | |
10. | Sioux Falls | 45 | |
11. | Dana | 29 | |
12. | Dakota Wesleyan | 27 | |
13. | Mount Marty | 20 | |