CMU volleyball ranked fifth in MAC West preseason poll


Some may think being picked second to last is a negative thing.

The Central Michigan volleyball team looks at it in a different perspective.

CMU was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-American Conference coaches preseason poll behind in-state rivals Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan at four and three, Ball State with the runner-up and Northern Illinois winning the MAC West division.

“We expected it, it’s where we finished last season,” said head coach Erik Olson. “We’re glad to not have a target on our back.”

It wasn’t all bad news for the Chippewas as senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Schultz was one of the six athletes to be named to the All-MAC West division.

“It’s a great honor,” she said. “I’ve got it before and it’s really good.”

Joining Schultz on the All-MAC West team is Ball State senior middle blocker Kelsey Brandl, EMU junior outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello, Northern Illinois sophomore outside hitter Lauren Wicinski as well as senior setter Kristin Hoffman. Also earning the honors was WMU junior middle blocker Jessica Brown.

“She’s easily the best middle blocker in the conference,” Olson said about Schultz. “She is playing by far her best ball in her career right now.”

CMU did receive one first place vote, despite the fifth place ranking. It shows how competitive this division will be this season. Toledo is the lone team to place behind CMU in the west.

Ohio was picked to win the MAC East division with almost all of the first place votes. Miami was selected to finish second with Akron, Buffalo, Bowling Green and Kent State finishing third through sixth.

Senior outside hitter/middle blocker Katie Post and sophomore middle blocker Lexie Hartnett represented Ohio on the All-MAC East team. They’re joined by Akron senior middle blocker Tina Dimitrijevs, BGSU sophomore left side hitter Paige Penrod and Miami senior middle hitter Cassie Ferrell.

The rest of the MAC hasn’t had a good look at the Chippewas this spring, so they are under the radar, but look to make some noise in a heavy MAC West this season.

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