Wright State Tops 2021 #HLVB Preseason Poll
INDIANAPOLIS (August 25, 2021) – Defending regular season and tournament champion Wright State finished atop the 2021 #HLVB Preseason Poll. The Raiders earned nine first-place votes to earn the top spot in voting done by the League’s 11 head coaches.
After a strong spring 2021 campaign, winning a second consecutive regular season title with a 14-0 League record and earning the League’s first NCAA Tournament victory, Wright State (119 points) returns two-time League Defensive Player of the Year Jenna Story, Setter of the Year Lainey Stephenson and fellow All-League First Team selections Celia Powers and Teddie Sauer this fall.
UIC (98 points) was voted second, receiving one first place vote after advancing to the League championship last season and posting a 13-1 League record in the regular season. The Flames bring back Freshman of the Year Becca Oldendorf, All-League First Team member Paola Santiago and All-Freshman selections, Martina Delucchi and Jaclyn Oblena.
Coming in third place with one first place vote is Northern Kentucky (97 points). The Norse finished third (8-4) in the regular season this spring and return All-League First Team selections Anna Brinkmann and Miranda Wucherer.
Milwaukee placed fourth in the poll with 94 points. The Panthers were 8-6 in League play this spring. All-League selections Ari Miller and Jess Grabowski are back for MKE this season.
Reigning League Player and Offensive Player of the Year Katie Crowe returns to lead Purdue Fort Wayne (78 points) as the Mastodons ranked fifth in the poll following a trip to the semifinals and a 10-6 regular season record this spring.
Cleveland State (63 points) edged out Oakland (61 points) for the sixth spot in the poll. Green Bay (48 points) placed eighth.
Rounding out the 2021 Preseason Poll are RMU (29 points), Youngstown State (25 points) and IUPUI (14 points).
The regular season begins for all 11 teams with non-League play on Friday, Aug. 27 while Horizon League play opens on Thursday, Sept. 23. The 2021 championship information will take place Nov. 19-21.
2021 #HLVB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Wright State – 119 (9)
2. UIC – 98 (1)
3. Northern Kentucky – 97 (1)
4. Milwaukee – 94
5. Purdue Fort Wayne – 78
6. Cleveland State – 63
7. Oakland – 61
8. Green Bay – 48
9. RMU – 29
10. Youngstown State – 25
11. IUPUI – 14