2008 NAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll 1. Lakeland College (11), 167 2. Benedictine University (2), 150 3. Concordia University Wisconsin, 140 4. Concordia University Chicago, 138 5. MSOE, 103 6. Edgewood College, 85 7. Aurora University, 81 8. Rockford College, 78 9. Maranatha Baptist Bible College, 75 10. Dominican University, 69 11. Wisconsin Lutheran College, 55 12. Marian University, 29 13. Alverno College, 13 (first place votes in parentheses)

Lakeland selected to repeat as NAC women's volleyball champions
WAUKESHA, Wis. -- Lakeland College has been selected to win the upcoming season's Northern Athletics Conference women's volleyball title, according to the preseason coaches' poll.

The Muskies received 11 of the 13 first place votes claiming the top spot of the poll. Lakeland is coming off a perfect conference season in 2007, going 12-0 in NAC regular season play, and then winning the conference tournament in three straight matches.

Lakeland (23-14) returns two All-NAC first team members from last year's championship squad, senior setter Jessica Sparling (Addison, Ill.) and reigning NAC Player of the Year, Brittanie Paulus (Belgium, Wis.).

Benedictine University was picked second in the poll, receiving the remaining two first place votes. The Eagles (27-7, 9-3 NAC) had the best overall record of any conference team last season, and finished as runners-up in the conference tournament. Benedictine returns 2007 NAC Rookie of the Year and first team All-NAC member Kayla Leyden (Elgin, Ill.).

Concordia University Wisconsin was picked third, totaling 140 poll points. CUW finished last season with a 23-10 overall record and second in NAC play at 10-2.

The Cougars of Concordia University Chicago were tabbed fourth in the poll with 138 points. CUC finished tied for third in the conference last season with a 9-3 conference record, 18-14 overall.

MSOE (11-20, 7-5) was picked fifth with 103 poll points, and Edgewood College (9-22, 6-6) was sixth with 85.

Aurora University (10-21, 4-8) which won the title in 2006, was picked seventh tallying 81 points.

Rockford College (11-18, 6-6), Maranatha Baptist Bible College (17-16, 6-6) and Dominican University (9-20, 4-8) round out the top ten, in the eighth, ninth and tenth spots.

Wisconsin Lutheran College (8-19, 4-8), Marian University (4-25, 1-11) and Alverno College (2-27, 0-12) fill the final three spots in the poll.

The Northern Athletics Conference tournament champion will automatically qualify for the NCAA Division III women's volleyball championship in November.

Northern Athletics Conference, Sports Information Department, August 27, 2008.