Calvin Picked to Repeat as MIAA Volleyball Champions

FREELAND, Mich. – In a preseason poll of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association head volleyball coaches, the Calvin Knights were picked to repeat as conference champions.

Calvin led the way with eight first-place votes, while Hope, the second-place pick, garnered the ninth first-place tally. Adrian emerged for a predicted third-place finish, while four teams – Albion (35), Alma (34), Saint Mary's (30), and Trine (30) were in a log jam for fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Olivet and Kalamazoo wrapped out the poll.

In the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 2016 preseason poll released Aug. 17, Calvin was ranked fifth in the nation, while Hope was ranked 17^th overall. Of note, an MIAA volleyball team has appeared in the NCAA Division III championship game four of the last six years, with Calvin (2013, 2010) and Hope (2014) taking home national championship honors three times.

The preseason poll for MIAA volleyball awards eight points for a first-place vote, seven points for a second-place vote, et cetera; coaches were not allowed to vote for their own programs.

Calvin is coming off an impressive 2015 campaign, where the Knights went 30-4 overall and 16-0 in MIAA play. A pair of two-time first-team all-MIAA selections return for Calvin in Laura Danhoff (Sr., MH, Willard, Ohio) and Jenna Lodewyk (So., S, Villa Park, Ill.). The Knights also feature MIAA Freshman of the Year in Anna Kamp (So, OH, Orland Park, Ill.).

Hope advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2015 after going 14-2 in MIAA matches and finished with a 24-7 record overall. The Dutch feature Sarah Feldpausch (Sr., OH, White Cloud, Mich.), a second-team all-MIAA honoree last fall. Also returning is Haley Muller (Jr., OH, Grand Rapids, Mich.), who was second on the team in 2015 in points per set.

Adrian (14-13, 9-7) will have the services of 2015 second-team all-conference honoree Olivia Welch (So., OH, Vicksburg, Mich.) this campaign. The Bulldogs aim to keep their forward momentum over the past two seasons, as the team improved from eighth place in 2013 to third in the MIAA last year.

Albion (16-14, 6-10) is bolstered by the efforts of Monica Shuk (So., L/DS, Milford, Mich.), who garnered second-team all-MIAA accolades as a freshman in 2015. Stephanie Thurner (Sr., MH/RS, Caledonia, Mich.) also returns for the Brits after earning Academic All-District accolades last season.

Alma (12-16, 8-8) returns Dakota Pelach (Jr., S/OPP, Gaylord, Mich.) from last year's squad; Pelach was tabbed a second-team all-MIAA performer last fall for the Scots.

Saint Mary's (15-13, 7-9), Trine (12-16, 8-8), Olivet (14-14, 3-13), and Kalamazoo (2-24, 1-15) rounded out the coaches poll.

The 2016 MIAA volleyball season begins Thursday, Sept. 1 when Alma takes on North Central in an 8 p.m. contest. Conference play begins Wednesday, Sept. 7 with four MIAA matches on the slate.

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