Another Top 4 Finish In The MIAC?

MIAC volleyball preview courtesy of Matt Higgins and the MIAC


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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- In terms of excitement and parity throughout the standings, it doesn't get much better than volleyball in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). A year ago, the final standings featured co-champs at the top, and all but one team finished tied with at least one other squad. The result was intense races for the title and six postseason bids, and outstanding matches throughout the conference season.

As the conference's 12 teams prepare to begin the season, optimism is high throughout the MIAC that the same stellar product will return to the court in 2014. Actually, with all the talent back, the upcoming campaign could somehow be even better. A year ago, the MIAC had six teams with at least 19 overall wins, and all 12 teams won at least eight matches.

In 2013, a pair of teams with opposite pedigrees shared the conference title with near-perfect 10-1 conference records. It marked the seventh year in a row St. Thomas (30-3) had won at least a share of the MIAC crown, while it was the very first time Augsburg (29-5) found itself at the top of the standings. Saint Benedict (27-4) and Concordia (19-11) tied for third, just a game behind the co-champs, at 9-2 to give the league a formidable top four.

Saint Mary's (24-9) and Hamline (19-13) also made the MIAC Playoffs and tied for fifth place with 6-5 conference records, and Bethel (14-15, 5-6 MIAC) claimed the final spot in the conference's postseason tournament, edging out both Macalester (13-14, 4-7 MIAC) and Gustavus (11-20, 4-7 MIAC) by a single match. The league's final three teams all tied for 10th place as Carleton (13-14), St. Catherine (9-22) and St. Olaf (8-20) each went 1-10 in MIAC play.

In 2014, the elite teams still look elite, as St. Thomas, Augsburg and Saint Benedict look to be factors on the national stage, and Concordia, Bethel and Saint Mary's also have high hopes for the MIAC Playoffs and beyond. In addition, the middle and bottom of the standings all feature teams that appear to be improved and hungry for more in 2014. Parity could be at an all-time high, and the quality of play continues to ascend to new heights, making the entire 2014 MIAC volleyball season a can't-miss event.

FAMILIAR TRIO AT THE TOP
A year ago, the MIAC certainly had plenty of talent from top to bottom, but co-champs St. Thomas and Augsburg and third-place Saint Benedict emerged as the class of the conference, and the MIAC coaches expect the same trio of talented teams to lead the way again in 2014. The Tommies were picked to win their eighth-straight MIAC championship by finishing atop the 2014 MIAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, but Augsburg and Saint Benedict were right behind and each also received a first-place vote.

The Tommies took 10 of the 12 available first-place votes and claimed the top spot in the poll with 120 points. The Auggies and Blazers split the other two first-place votes, with Augsburg edging Saint Benedict for the No. 2 spot by a single point, 106-105. The other three predicted Playoff qualifiers (top six) were also closely grouped together, as Concordia finished fourth (80), Bethel was fifth (77) and Saint Mary's grabbed the No. 6 spot (70).

The MIAC coaches also expect Gustavus and Hamline to be in the mix for postseason bids in 2014, as the Gusties finished seventh in the poll with 65 points and the Pipers came in eight with 60 points. Only 15 points separated the final four teams in the poll as well, as Carleton received 34 points, Macalester got 29, St. Catherine had 27 and St. Olaf rounded out the rankings with 19 points.

THREE IN TOP 16             
The Tommies, Blazers and Auggies aren't only receiving preseason love from the MIAC coaches. They've captured the attention of Division III coaches in the nation, and all three will open the 2014 season ranked in the top 16 nationally. In the American Volleyball Coaches' Association (AVCA) Division III Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll the Tommies are ranked fifth, Saint Benedict is ninth and Augsburg is ranked No. 16. All three reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago and St. Thomas is just two years removed from winning the national title, so it's no surprise to see the MIAC's top teams receive that level of respect on the national level.

COACHING STABILITY
It was a quite offseason on the coaching front in the MIAC, which speaks to the stability and success of the volleyball programs in the conference. A year ago, only one coaching change was made - Becky Egan took over at Hamline - and prior to that, the last wave of coaching movement happened in 2010, when half the schools in the league all hired new head coaches. It's pretty remarkable that there has only been one MIAC head coaching change between the 2010 season and today.

Concordia's Tim Mosser and St. Olaf's Cindy Book continue to be the deans of the group, as both enter their 22nd season as head coach at their respective institutions. Saint Mary's Mike Lester is entering season No. 17 with the Cardinals, Carleton's Heidi Jaynes is starting her 16th campaign, Bethel's Gretchen Hunt is heading into her 14th season and St. Thomas' Thanh Pham is beginning season No. 12.

Augsburg's Jane Becker, Gustavus' Rachelle Sherden, Macalester's Annie Doman, Saint Benedict's Nicole Hess and St. Catherine's Corey Phelps were all part of the wave of change that swept through the MIAC in 2010, and all are beginning their fifth season at their current posts.

WHO TO WATCH FOR
Not only is the MIAC's biggest star back for her senior season, but she could make conference history in 2014. St. Thomas' Kelly Foley became just the third player to win consecutive MIAC Player-of-the-Year honors in 2012 and 2013 as a sophomore and a junior, and this season the star hitter has an opportunity to be the MIAC's first-ever three-time MVP. Foley begins her final campaign with 1,323 career kills and a .358 hitting percentage, and she's been a dominant force at the net since she debuted in 2011.

However, Foley isn't alone in her quest for a fourth conference title and second national championship in three years. All-American outside hitter Jill Greenfield (1,080 career kills) and All-MIAC hitter Sara Atkinson (535 career kills) are also back, and Pham's loaded roster has talent back at nearly every position. Even in a conference as talented as the MIAC, St. Thomas appears to be the cream of the crop.

But the other defending MIAC champs have plenty to be excited about in their first-ever title defense. MIAC and Region Coach-of-the-Year Jane Becker welcomes back star RS Ashley Peper, who earned All-American honors a year ago as a sophomore. Hitter Colleen Ourada also returns, as does DS Mackensie Menke, but the Auggies will have the tough task of replacing star setter Emily McCourt and libero Kalelyn Berens.

Saint Benedict loses All-American hitter Lexi Alm, but plenty of talent is back to put Hess's team in the title hunt - and top 10 nationally - once again. The Blazer offense runs through All-American setter Taya Kockelman, and fellow seniors Lexi Rinde (OH) and Victoria Nass (DS) are also back to give Saint Benedict a deep, veteran team.

Concordia graduated a pair of All-MIAC hitters, but two-time All-MIAC hitter Kynndyl Ross leads a strong group of returners focused on a return to the postseason. Mosser's team also welcomes back 2012 MIAC Rookie-of-the-Year Olivia Wangensteen and sophomore setter Mandy Mercil. Bethel's young squad made the MIAC Playoffs a year ago, and seems poised to take another big step forward in 2014 behind 2013 MIAC Rookie-of-the-Year Carlee Hoppee, fellow sophomore Katie Lubben (setter) and junior hitter Kali Johnson.

Saint Mary's reached the MIAC Playoff semifinals  a year ago and, despite losing All-MIAC setter Lexi Assimos to graduation, has high hopes to return to the postseason in 2014. Juniors Alex Peterson (OH) and Lex Krogstad (libero) and senior Mary Nordick (MH) are back to give Lester's team a tremendous nucleus. Gustavus will aim to get back in the Playoff picture in 2014 with nearly every key piece back, including seniors Alyssa Taylor (All-MIAC MH) and Paige Breneman (DS).

In Egan's first season at Hamline, the Pipers won a school-record 19 matches and stunned the league with a run to the Playoffs. All-MIAC honorees Sam Greeney-Hamlin and Molly Hurrle graduated, but MIAC Co-Defensive Player-of-the-Year Lynsey Reimer is back for her senior season, and will team up with fellow seniors Stephanie Kapu (MB) and Paige Walters (OH) to try and continue the Piper resurgence. Carleton has high hopes for a bounce-back year in 2014 with All-MIAC libero Camille Benson back to lead the defense, and setter Alicia Flatt and hitter Karen Halls also back in the lineup.

Macalester graduated star hitter Laura Avena, but hopes to continue its ascension behind sophomore hitters Brooke Hunter and Cora Trout and senior leader Hannah Rehak. The St. Catherine offense is in great shape with senior setter Karsee Knutson back to set up hitters Abigail Palmer and Jana Christensen. St. Olaf welcomes back nearly its full lineup, and key players at each position, led by setter Kersten Bork, middle Maggie Prunty and defensive ace Abby Slack.

CIRCLE THESE DATES
Fans don't have much longer to wait, as MIAC volleyball begins in earnest Friday with a full slate of 23 matches. MIAC teams will open at weekend nonconference tournaments over the season's first few weeks to tune up for conference play, which starts with all 12 teams in action at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The final day of MIAC play is set for Saturday, Nov. 1, and the conference title and Playoff bids could very well come down to that final day of action. The 2014 MIAC Volleyball Playoffs will follow with quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 4, semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 6 and the championship on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Throughout the conference campaign, there will be marquee matchups every week. One of the most anticipated showdowns will take place on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. when last season's co-champs meet in their 2014 matchup. Augsburg will travel across the metro to St. Thomas in a match that could again carry title implications. Two other teams that hope to contend - Saint Benedict and Concordia - will meet in a high-stakes match on the season's final day, as the Cobbers host the Blazers at 3 p.m. on Nov. 1 to close the 2014 season.

Saint Mary's and Bethel can both benefit their Playoff hopes when they square off head-to-head on the Cardinals' home court Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Two other teams with postseason aspirations meet in a key showdown in St. Paul at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 when Gustavus visits Hamline.

St. Olaf and Carleton both hope to ascend the standings in 2014, and their cross-town rivalry meeting is always appointment viewing. This season, they'll play in the final weekend, as the Oles host the Knights at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. A key St. Paul showdown will also happen late in the season, as St. Catherine will host Macalester at 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 as the two rivals will battle for bragging rights and a chance to move up the standings into postseason contention.

2014 MIAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Coaches voted for every team in the conference except their own team. Points were assigned for each vote (11 for first, 10 for second, etc.) Teams are ranked in order of highest point total to lowest with vote totals listed and first-place votes shown in parentheses.