Westminster Leads Favorites In SLIAC Volleyball

Westminster College leads the list of favorites in the 2018 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coaches Preseason Poll. The Blue Jays picked up 78 total points, grabbing six first-place votes, after capturing the program's first regular-season title since 1999 last season. Westminster went 21-11 overall and 16-2 in conference play in head coach Natalia Koryzna's first year with the team. The Blue Jays lone departing starter is All-Conference player Hannah Marshall. Junior setter Teresa Becker (9.60 assists per set) will once have her favorite attacker returning in Ashley Kistaitis. Kistaitis led the team with 340 kills last season while earning First Team All-Conference honors. Also back is middle blocker Natalie Needy, a sophomore, that was named Third Team All-Conference. Senior libero Bridget Ringwald returns to lead the defense after averaging 4.4 digs per set last year. Freshman Claire Whitehouse will be given the chance to crack the rotation. 

Greenville University was picked 2nd in the poll, receiving two first-place votes and totaling 69 points. The Panthers, coached by Tom Ackerman, have won three straight SLIAC Tournaments but will be a young team in 2018. They return four starters headed up by 2017 SLIAC Newcomer of the Year Anna Finch. Finch, a middle blocker, averaged 2.52 kills while hitting .387 and totaling 91 blocks last season in being named First Team All-Conference. Sophomore setter Abby Quirin averaged 4.31 assists per set last season and will take over the offense while junior Allyson Grabowski will be looked on to hold down the libero duties. Among the newcomers expected to contribute are Peyton Morris, Emily Penfold, and Emily Stahl. 

In third place in the poll was Webster University, with 68 points and two first-place votes. The Gorloks went 17-14 overall last year, tying for second place in the conference with a 15-3 record. Despite graduating eight players from last year head coach Merry Graf still brings back 10 players including five starters and will mix that in with seven freshmen and a transfer. The senior trio of Sam Budrovich, Torie Grassi, and Kelsey Hamann will be the unquestioned leaders of this year's team. Grassi, an outside hitter, was named Second Team All-Conference last season and led the team with 208 kills. Fellow hitter Budrovich added 130 kills while setter Hamann averaged 4.48 assists per set. Newcomers that will compete for time include Kylie Burke, Ali Spohr, and Hayley Taylor.

After completing one of their most successful seasons in program history, Principia College was picked 4th in the poll with 58 total points. The Panthers were 22-7 overall last season, going 14-4 in the SLIAC. Head Coach Mary Ann Sprague will have an experienced group coming back with five starters in place. Senior libero Mia Gill sparks the defense, earning SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors last year after ranking second in NCAA Division III in digs. Well-rounded junior setter Devon Marunde was named Second Team All-Conference after totaling 926 assists, 429 digs, 61 kills, and 26 blocks last year. The offensive attack will again be balanced but has returning top attacker Sophia Hathway (381 kills) leading the way. Sophomore Jessica Bayne and freshman Hayden Warner are two players that could work their way into the outside hitter rotation.

Fontbonne University placed 5th in the poll with 44 points. The Griffins will be coached by first-year head coach Ryan LeGrand. He returns 13 players from last year's team that finished 11-19 overall and 7-11 in conference play. Kristina Eason led the Griffins with 284 kills last season and returns after earning Third Team All-Conference honors. Olivia Tallo was second on the team in kills as a true freshman and will give the team another option on the attack. Victoria Curtice totaled 75 blocks last season and hit .243 while Sarah Borgerding averaged 3.14 digs per set. Newcomers Karsyn Kulick, Maura Rabun, and Daisy Watkins head up a strong recruiting class. 

Spalding University was chosen 6th with 39 points. The Golden Eagles went 8-23 overall last year, finishing 7-11 in conference play. They will be under the direction of first-year head coach Cheneta Robinson and will look on the continued development of middle hitter Claudia Spivey (175 kills and 90 total blocks). 

Finishing in 7th place in the poll was Eureka College with 26 total points. The Red Devils finished 7-11 in conference play last season and bring back 11 players with four starters. Head Coach Becca LaKosh will have an experienced and versatile group this season. Heather Robinson totaled 190 kills, 351 assists, and 219 digs last season while Lexi Dooley was third on the team with 182 kills. McKenna Cleer, Kary Langan, and Caitlin Miller will round out the rotation. Newcomers Runa Akawaga, Corrine DeBoard, and Paige Klingler will push for time on the court.

Iowa Wesleyan University received 20 total points to finish 8th in the poll. The Tigers have five starters coming back as head coach BJ Wagy will look to improve upon their two conference wins last year. The Tigers have their top two attackers coming back with junior Lida Landre leading the way with 173 kills. Sydney Ellsworth finished with 154 kills last season, adding 36 blocks. Cass Schwamborn will be counted on to play a key role in the offense as well. Transfer setter Paige Kammerer joins the program this year and will be looked on to run the offense.

MacMurray College received 19 points for 9th place in the poll. The Highlanders are coached by Danielle Doerfler and return 13 players including all six starters. The team brings back their top four hitters, top two defensive players, and three setters who have seen time on the court. Olivia Wall, a junior, will be the focal point of the offense one year after leading the conference at 3.71 kills per set and earning First Team All-Conference honors. Junior Caitlyn Hoene will be looked on to add to the attack this season. The defense should be in good hands with the pair of Alexis Moore (647 digs) and Taylor Westfall (242 digs). Newcomers Liz Lascody and Logyn Little will push for playing time. 

Blackburn wraps up the preseason poll, receiving 14 points. The Beavers were 9-19 overall and 5-13 in the SLIAC last season. 

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