Central Michigan University Athletics
MAC Volleyball Poll Released
8/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 11, 2004
CLEVELAND -- Defending Mid-American Conference champion Ohio has been tabbed as the favorite to not only win the East Division in 2004 but is also tied with Western Michigan to claim the conference tournament crown, it was announced by the league office today. Ball State, meanwhile, which advanced to the semifinals a year ago for the 13th consecutive season, was picked to win the West Division crown. Voting was conducted by the league's 13 head coaches. The MAC announces only the top three selections in each division.
In the East, Ohio is picked to win the division for the second straight season after never receiving a preseason divisional pick higher than third prior to 2003. Despite losing two-time MAC Player of the Year Laura Hageman to graduation, the Bobcats return a first- and a second-team all-MAC pick among four starters from last year's 28-5 squad that also produced a 15-1 league mark. Back are first-team setter Briana Adamovsky (Sr.), the league's top returning setter (12.48 apg) and second-team outside hitter Holly Schetzsle (Jr.), who was fourth a year ago in attack percentage (.304).
Kent State, which completed its fifth straight season of a .500 or better league record at 8-8, is tabbed second in the division. The Golden Flashes, who had a 12-14 overall record last season, also have four starters returning led by juniors Danielle Holt and Anne Butts. Holt, one of three returning first-team all-MAC performers from 2003, was second in the conference in kills per game (4.93) while pacing the league in assists per game (0.61). Butts, meanwhile, was sixth in the MAC in assists per game (11.56).
Picked to finish third is Marshall (21-16, 8-8), which finished tied for third in the division with the Golden Flashes. The Thundering Herd made most of their noise in the postseason as the team advanced to the championship match as the tournament's No. 7 seed. Marshall, which returns three starters, has two of the top blockers back in Nickie Sanlin and Amber Sims. The duo each averaged more than a block a game while Sims commanded the 14th highest hitting percentage in the MAC a year ago (.272).
For the fourth time in six seasons Ball State is tabbed for the top spot in the West Division. With six returners returning from last year's 18-16 overall record and a 9-7 league slate, the Cardinals will search for their fifth divisional title. Back for the Cardinals is Sarah Obras (Jr., OA), a first-team all-conference choice in 2003 who set the league's single season kill mark with 695. BSU also returns second-team all-MAC pick Stephanie Keller (Sr., L), who along with Obras earned honorable mention all-region accolades a year ago.
Picked to finish second behind Ball State is Western Michigan, while Northern Illinois grabs the third spot in the West -- the same predicted finish as in 2003. The Broncos (17-14, 8-8) welcome five starters back from a year ago, including honorable mention all-MAC choice Shaylen Jackson. Jackson, a junior middle blocker, led the league with a .373 attack percentage and was also third in blocks per game (1.31). Joining Jackson in the middle is senior Tinesha Tierney, who was fifth in the conference in blocks (1.24).
Five Huskie starters are back from last year's 20-11 team (8-8 in MAC), highlighted by Tera Lobdell (Sr., OH), who was third in the MAC in kills per game (4.28). Last year, Lobdell earned honorable mention all-MAC accolades for the third consecutive year. Also supplying some firepower in the middle for NIU are Corinne Walsh (Jr., MB) and Kate McCullagh (So., MB). The two each ranked in the top-15 in the league in blocks, both averaging more than a block a game.
For the second straight season, all 13 teams will participate in the conference tournament. It will mirror that of the men's and women's basketball tournaments, as three seeds receive first-round byes -- the two divisional winners and the team with the next best conference winning percentage. The winner of the five first round matches on campus sites (Nov. 16) will join the other three teams in Bowling Green, Ohio, beginning Nov. 19 and concluding Nov. 21 with the championship match.
MAC volleyball gets underway on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Conference play begins Wednesday, Sept. 22.
The Chippewas return four letterwinners from last season's West Division championship team, including second team All-MAC picks Emily Lovejoy and Meghan Moore.
CMU is also under the direction of first-year coach Erik Olson. Olson joins the Chippewas after spending the past three seasons as an assistant at the University of Miami.
