Ball State University Athletics
Women?s Volleyball Tabbed Second In MAC West
August 21, 2012 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - 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 12 head coaches in the league's annual preseason poll.
The Cardinals, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid last season after tying for second in the MAC West with a 12-4 league record, were one of three teams in the division to earn at least one first place vote.
Western Michigan was selected to win the MAC West, as well as the league's regular season and tournament championships, and earned 10 first place votes. Central Michigan was chosen to finish third with the final first place tally, while Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Toledo rounded out the division.
In the MAC East, Ohio claimed 11 of the 12 first place votes to win the division, and is followed by Miami (one first place vote), Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State and Akron.
Last season, a league-record four teams from the MAC earned bids to the NCAA Tournament with all four (BSU, CMU, NIU and WMU) coming from the MAC West Division. Including MAC Tournament play, the MAC West Division held a 32-6 advantage in interdivisional play last season, with only Ohio (3), Bowling Green (1), Kent State (1) and Miami (1) picking up wins out of their division. Overall, the West Division had a 103-33 set record versus the East Division in 2011, including 21 sweeps in 38 matches played.
2012 MAC Preseason Poll
MAC EAST DIVISION
1. Ohio (11)
2. Miami (1)
3. Bowling Green
4. Buffalo
5. Kent State
6. Akron
MAC WEST DIVISION
1. Western Michigan (10)
2. Ball State (1)
3. Central Michigan (1)
4. Northern Illinois
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
Regular Season Champion - Western Michigan
Tournament Champion - Western Michigan
