Ball State University Athletics
WVB Picked To Finish Second In MAC West Division
August 26, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - The Ball State women's volleyball team has been selected to finish second in the Mid-American Conference West Division as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches in the annual preseason poll which was released today.
"This is the best the Mid-American Conference has ever been in women's volleyball and to be picked to finish among the top teams is a great honor," said Ball State head coach Dave Boos. "It is very encouraging that coaches around the league see the direction this program is heading and recognize the talent we will put on the floor this fall."
The Cardinals return all six starters and the libero from last season's team which placed fourth in the MAC West Division and posted a 12-21 (6-10 MAC) record. Highlighting BSU's roster is a pair of MAC All-Freshman selections from a year ago in Jennifer Boyd and Brittany McGinnis. Boyd also earned All-MAC Second Team accolades after ranking fifth in the conference with a .313 attack percentage from the middle blocker position.
Western Michigan, which captured the MAC regular season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals last year, was picked to win the division for the third straight year, followed by BSU, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Toledo.
Ohio, the 2008 MAC Tournament champion, tops the league's East Division, followed by Miami, Bowling Green, Akron, Kent State and Buffalo. Ohio and Miami joined Western Michigan in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, giving the league a record three representatives.
WMU was also selected to win the league's tournament which begins Nov. 17 on campus sites and continues Nov. 20-22 at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo, Ohio.
The Ball State women's volleyball team officially opens the 2009 season Friday (Aug. 28) at the Mortar Board Premier Tournament hosted by Purdue. In their first match of the season, the Cardinals will battle the 19th-ranked Boilermakers at 7 p.m.
2009 MAC Volleyball Preseason Poll
East Division
1. Ohio
2. Miami
3. Bowling Green
4. Akron
5. Kent State
6. Buffalo
West Division
1. Western Michigan
2. Ball State
3. Northern Illinois
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
Regular Season Champions - Western Michigan
Tournament Champions - Western Michigan
