Lady Statesmen Sixth in MCC Preseason Ranking

William Penn Women's Athletics

Oskaloosa–Sporting nearly an entire new lineup, the William Penn volleyball team is seeking to be the league’s surprise squad this fall as the Midwest Collegiate Conference’s Preseason Coaches Poll was released today.

The Lady Statesmen, who were 25-21 last season (4-4 MCC), are projected to place sixth in the ten-team conference with 51 points. William Penn is returning little of last year’s squad, however, including suffering the departures of Emily Stanton, the school record holder in kills, and Caitlin Hadden, the school record holder in digs.

Viterbo and Grand View top the poll with 83 points each. The #27 V-Hawks, who have five first-place votes (Grand View, tied for 38th, has the other four), claimed last year’s regular-season crown with a perfect 8-0 record. The Lady Statesmen broke up the sparkling campaign, though, by upsetting the top seed in the tournament semifinals before falling to St. Ambrose in the championship match.

The Queen Bees are third with 74 points, while Ashford has 64 and Clarke collects 55. Mount Mercy is on William Penn’s heels with 50 points. Iowa Wesleyan (36) and Waldorf and AIB (25 apiece) round out the poll. AIB is new to the MCC this fall.

William Penn begins 2011 next Friday and Saturday by traveling to Cedar Rapids for the Mount Mercy Tournament. On Friday, the Lady Statesmen face Avila (Mo.) at 2 p.m. and Missouri Valley at 5 p.m. On Saturday, they meet Mayville State (N.D.) at 9 a.m. and York (Neb.) at 10:30 a.m.

2011 MCC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

School (First Place Votes)
1. Viterbo 83 (5)
1. Grand View 83 (4)
3. St. Ambrose 74
4. Ashford 64
5. Clarke 55
6. William Penn 51
7. Mount Mercy 50
8. Iowa Wesleyan 36
9. Waldorf 25
9. AIB 25