Wright State Tops Spring 2021 #HLVB Preseason Poll
INDIANAPOLIS – Defending regular season champion Wright State finished atop the Spring 2021 #HLVB Preseason Poll. The Raiders earned five first-place votes to earn the top spot in voting done by the League’s 11 head coaches.
After a strong 2019 campaign, winning the regular season title for the first time in program history and earning the school’s first at-large NCAA Tournament berth, Wright State (112 points) returns League Defensive Player of the Year Jenna Story and fellow All-League First Team selections Nyssa Baker, Celia Powers and Lainey Stephenson this spring.
2019 tournament champion Northern Kentucky (111 points) was voted second, receiving three first place votes. The Norse bring back All-League First Team member Anna Brinkmann, All-League Honorable Mention Ashton Terrill and two All-Freshman selections, Reilly Briggs and Abby Kanakry.
Coming in third place is Milwaukee (94 points). The Panthers finished in a tie for second in the regular season in 2019 and return Freshman of the Year and All-League First Team selection Ari Miller along with First Team member Carmen Heilemann.
Green Bay (90 points) picked up two first place votes in the poll, placing fourth. The Phoenix were 12-4 in League play in 2019. Oakland (66 points) and UIC (62 points with a first place vote) round out the top six in the poll.
League newcomer Purdue Fort Wayne (57 points) finished seventh in the poll, following an 11-5 Summit League record in 2019. Cleveland State (52 points) was voted eighth, followed by another new League member, Robert Morris (43 points). The Colonials were 25-5 in 2019 with a 15-1 record in the Northeast Conference.
Rounding out the Spring 2021 Preseason Poll are IUPUI (22 points), and Youngstown State (17 points).
The regular season begins on Monday, January 25. Horizon League championship information will be announced at a later time.
Spring 2021 #HLVB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Wright State– 112 (5)
2. Northern Kentucky – 111 (3)
3. Milwaukee – 94
4. Green Bay – 90 (2)
5. Oakland – 66
6. UIC – 62 (1)
7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 57
8. Cleveland State – 52
9. Robert Morris– 43
10. IUPUI – 22
11. Youngstown State – 17