GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced on Thursday, Aug. 22 the results of 2024 volleyball preseason poll, as voted on by the league coaches.
Just like they did in the 2023 GLIAC Tournament title game, Ferris State and Grand Valley State battled it out for the top spot in the 2024 preseason rankings. The defending tournament champion Bulldogs were voted first, totaling 97 points with seven first-place votes. The reigning GLIAC regular season champion Lakers finished a close second, receiving 94 points and four first-place votes.
Ferris State welcomes back Ferris State five All-GLIAC honorees from a year ago, including Kaylee Maat, the GLIAC Setter of the Year, and 2023 GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, Olivia Henneman-Dallape, while GVSU returns the 2023 GLIAC Player of the Year, Jordyn Gates.
Landing in the third position was Michigan Tech. The Huskies, who won 10 league matches a year ago, accumulated 79 points in the vote. The Huskies return four all-GLIAC honorees from a season ago when they advanced to the GLIAC tournament semifinals for the seventh straight season.
Led by 2023 GLIAC Coach of the Year Leigh Barea, Parkside were slotted No. 4 in the poll, collecting 71 points. Headlined by four-time All-GLIAC First Teamer Jacqueline Smith, Northern Michigan placed fifth, four points behind the Rangers.
A total of just four points separated the No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8-ranked teams, Wayne State (48), Davenport (46) and Purdue Northwest (44), respectively.
Lake Superior State (27), Saginaw Valley State (18) and GLIAC newcomer Roosevelt (14) rounded out the 2024 GLIAC Volleyball Preseason Poll.
2024 GLIAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| 1. |
Ferris State |
|
97 (7) |
| 2. |
Grand Valley State |
94 (4) |
| 3. |
Michigan Tech |
79 |
| 4. |
Parkside |
|
71 |
| 5. |
Northern Michigan |
67 |
| 6. |
Wayne State |
48 |
| 7. |
Davenport |
|
46 |
| 8. |
Purdue Northwest |
44 |
| 9. |
Lake Superior State |
27 |
| 10. |
Saginaw Valley State |
18 |
| 11. |
Roosevelt |
|
14 |
