CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2018 American Rivers Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2018 American Rivers Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2017 Record |
| 1. |
Wartburg (5) |
60 |
25-6, 8-0 Conference (Regular Season & Tournament Champions) |
| 2. |
Luther (3) |
57 |
16-10, 6-2 Conference |
| 3. |
Dubuque (1) |
44 |
28-7, 5-3 Conference |
| 4. |
Coe |
42 |
14-16, 4-4 Conference |
| 5. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
34 |
11-17, 3-5 Conference |
| 6. |
Loras |
33 |
12-15, 3-5 Conference |
| 7. |
Buena Vista |
25 |
22-10, 5-3 Conference |
| 8. |
Simpson |
16 |
9-17, 1-7 Conference |
| 9. |
Central |
13 |
9-24, 1-7 Conference |
Wartburg is the coaches' choice to win the 2018 American Rivers Conference Volleyball championship. The Knights were chosen first on five ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 63 points to take the No. 1 ranking. Luther takes the second spot with 57 points and three first-place votes. Dubuque picked up one first-place vote and totaled 44 points to own third-place in the poll. Coe was close behind in fourth with a total of 42 points. One point separated Nebraska Wesleyan (34) and Loras (33) for the fifth and sixth positions. The six-team conference tournament field would feature the Knights, Norse, Spartans, Kohawks, Prairie Wolves, and Duhawks if the preseason poll was the determinant. Finishing seven, eight, and nine in the poll were Buena Vista, Simpson, and Central. These three teams will look to jostle their way into the top six for a qualifying spot to the American Rivers Conference tournament.
American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Top 25 Polls: Wartburg College is receiving votes in the AVCA Division III Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll.
New Coaches:
Aubrey Havlichek, Buena Vista University. A native of Thornton, Colo., Havlichek played volleyball herself at the collegiate level for four years at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. She was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter as an outside/right side hitter. Havlichek earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sports and fitness management with a minor in coaching. She comes to Buena Vista after serving as head coach at Finlandia University for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Brittany Sisk, Luther College. Sisk takes over the Norse program after serving as head volleyball coach at Dominican University, River Forest, Ill. During her one year at Dominican. Prior to Dominican, she was the head volleyball coach at Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, for three years. She has also served as an assistant coach at University of Wisconsin River Falls and as a volunteer assistant coach at Bethel University, Arden Hills, Minn.A Minnesota native, Sisk earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Education degree at St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minn., in 2011. On the volleyball court, she was a three-year starter and team captain and twice was named team MVP.
The Schedule: The season's first serves will fly over the net on Friday, August 31st with all nine American Rivers Conference schools in non-conference action. Buena Vista will take to the court at Northwestern-St. Paul, playing in the Kathryne Pals Legacy Invite. Central will open the season at the University of Chicago Tournament and Coe will head to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Tournament. Dubuque will make the trip to Memphis, Tennessee for an opening weekend invitational at Rhodes College. Loras will compete in the Forester Invitational at Lake Forest and Luther heads to Saint Mary's University's (Minn.) Sugar Loaf Classic. Heading west will be Nebraska Wesleyan, as they are slated to play at the Colorado College Classic in Colorado Springs. Simpson will travel north to the St. Olaf-Carleton Invitational in Northfield, Minnesota and Wartburg will join Buena Vista University at the Northwestern-St. Paul Kathryne Pals Legacy invite.
The 2018 Conference schedule begins on Tuesday, September 11th with Central traveling to Simpson. Wednesday, September 12th will see Dubuque hosting Coe and Wartburg playing at Luther. Nebraska Wesleyan will host Buena Vista on Thursday, September 13th to begin their conference slate, and Loras opens league play on Tuesday, September 18th at Coe. The American Rivers Conference season is an eight-game round robin schedule finishing on Wednesday, October 24th.
Conference Tournament: At the conclusion of the regular season conference schedule, the top six teams move onto the 2018 conference tournament. The tournament begins Tuesday, October 30th with the 4/5 seeds and the 3/6 seeds meeting at the higher seeded home court. On Thursday, November 1st the winner of the 4/5 opening round game will travel to the No.1 seed, while the 3/6 winner will make the trip to the No. 2 seed. The championship match-up will be held at the home venue of the higher seeded team on Saturday, November 3rd. The winner of the 2018 American Rivers Conference Tournament will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
| 1st |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Jennifer Walker / Doug Frazell
2017 Record: 25-6, 8-0 Conference
2017 Finish: Regular Season & Conference Tournament Champion
Returning All-Conference: Lizzy Blough (First-Team), Katie Foster (Freshman of the Year, First-Team), Mallary Erbes (Honorable Mention)
Returning Starters: 4
Starters Lost: 3
Jennifer Walker - “Expectations for the 2018 season will remain the same for Knights. We’ll have strong leadership from our upperclassmen and several younger players that could contribute early in the season as well. We are looking forward to competing in tough regional tournaments on the weekends which will help us prepare for our games against our always formidable Conference opponents each week. As has been the case in most recent years, it will most likely be a fight to the finish for the Conference title.” |
| Players to Watch: |
| Kylie Bildstein - MH (So.) |
115-sets played // 176-kills // .294-attack% // 66-blocks |
| Lizzy Blough - OH (Sr.) |
116-sets played // 288-kills // .179-attack% // 42-aces // 314-digs // 37-blocks |
| Mallary Erbes - S (Sr.) |
116-sets played // 132-kills // .180-attack% // 567-assists // 22-aces // 288-digs // 44-blocks |
| Katie Foster - L (So.) |
116-sets played // 35-aces // 622-digs // 5.36-digs/set |
| 2nd |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Brittany Sisk
2017 Record: 16-10, 6-2 Conference
2017 Finish: 2nd
Returning All-Conference: Sam Sixta (First-Team), Emma Veum (First-Team), Anna Larson (Honorable Mention)
Returning Starters: 5
Starters Lost: 1
Brittany Sisk - "Although us as a coaching staff will be new to our roles within the program, we are excited about the strength and experience of the returners, and the positive impact our large freshman class will bring. As always, the Conference will be a strong, and we are excited for another competitive season." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Karissa Kime - S/OH (Jr.) |
98-sets played // 241-kills // 37-aces // 325-digs // 23-blocks |
| Anna Larson - OH (Sr.) |
99-sets played // 274-kills // .180-attack% 22-aces // 279-digs // 27-blocks |
| Katie Shabatura - MB (R-Sr.) |
2016 Stats - 1st-team All-Conf. // 106-sts played // 199-kills // .236-attack% // 119-blocks |
| Sam Sixta - S (Jr.) |
100-sets played // 932-assists // 37-aces // 278-digs |
| Emma Veum - MB (Sr.) |
98-sets played // 275-kills // .326-attack% // 68-blocks |
| 3rd |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: April Elsbernd
2017 Record: 28-7, 5-3 Conference
2017 Finish: t-3rd
Returning All-Conference: Jenna Runde (First-Team)
Returning Starters: 5
Starters Lost: 3
April Elsbernd - “The Spartans are eager to begin the 2018 season and build on the progress that was made in the program last fall. While there will be some significant roles to fill in the setter and outside hitter positions, this group is ready for the challenge. We are hoping to look different from years past by becoming more offensively balanced across the front line. As always, every match of conference play will be extremely important and exciting. It will be fun to see how the standings shake down throughout the season and who eventually comes out on top.” |
| Players to Watch: |
| Rylee Andersen - MB (Jr.) |
110-sets played // 150-kills // .192-attack% // 83-blocks |
| Paige Harbort - MB (Jr.) |
116-sets played // 184-kills // .275-attack% // 98-digs // 53-blocks |
| Jenna Runde - L (Sr.) |
116-sets played // 44-assists // 535-digs // 4.61-digs/set |
| Kara Wright - OH (Jr.) |
117-sets played // 208-kills // .190-attack% // 232-digs // 102-blocks |
| 4th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: DeAnn Woodin
2017 Record: 14-16, 4-4 Conference
2017 Finish: 5th
Returning All-Conference: Lindsey Koch (First-Team), Madi Miller (Honorable Mention)
Returning Starters: 4
Starters Lost: 2
DeAnn Woodin - “The Conference will continue to showcase battle after battle this 2018 season. We are excited about our returners providing solid leadership and valuable experience, as well as our newcomers bringing more depth and energy every day. We look forward to working with all of them soon and embracing the opportunities ahead.” |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Morgan Kluesner - OH (So.) |
66-sets played // 55-kills // 57-digs // 11-blocks |
| Lindsey Koch - OH (Sr.) |
105-sets played // 408-kills // .173-attack% // 65-assists // 319-digs // 25-blocks |
| Maddi Miller - DS/L (Sr.) |
105-sets played // 65-assists // 430-digs // 4.1-digs/set |
| Jaimee Rindy - MB (Sr.) |
102-sets played // 223-kills // .211-attack% // 61-blocks |
| 5th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Rayna Cain
2017 Record: 11-17, 3-5 Conference
2017 Finish: t-6th
Returning All-Conference: Kierra Harder (First-Team), Lizzie Saale (Honorable Mention), Karrie Sestak (Honorable Mention)
Returning Starters: 7
Starters Lost: 1
Rayna Cain - “The team is fired up and ready to start the season against another very strong and balance Conference. Along with some talented newcomers, we are excited about the strong senior leadership and experience returning for the 2018 season. Our conference will once again be tough, top to bottom, this season and we look forward to the challenge!” |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Hannah Bellinghausen - OH (Jr.) |
99-sets played // 183-kills // .159-attack% // 51-digs // 34-blocks |
| Kierra Harder - OH (Sr.) |
85-sets played // 239-kills // .144-attack% // 187-digs |
| Lizzie Saale - L/DS (Sr.) |
105-sets played // 54-assists // 22-aces // 436-digs // 4.15-digs/set |
| Karrie Sestak - MH (Sr.) |
105-sets played // 167-kills // .222-attack% // 47-aces // 87-digs // 49-blocks |
| Cora Svoboda - MH (So.) |
105-sets played // 169-kills // .149-attack% // 70-blocks |
| 6th |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Jenna Ness
2017 Record: 12-15, 3-5 Conference
2017 Finish: t-6th
Returning All-Conference: Michell Budden (First-Team)
Returning Starters: 8
Starters Lost: 2
Jenna Ness - “I am looking forward to the 2018 season and everything that comes with it. I believe our conference will be very competitive and we are excited to see how everyone matches up and competes against each other.” |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Kelly Boge - MH (Jr.) |
87-sets played // 171-kills // .201-attack% // 74-blocks |
| Michelle Budden - MH/RS (Jr.) |
93-sets played // 298-kills // .207-attack% // 68-digs // 47-blocks |
| Kayla Kinney - MH (Jr.) |
99-sets played // 197-kills // 65-digs // 61-blocks |
| 7th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Aubrey Havlichek
2017 Record: 22-10, 5-3 Conference
2017 Finish: t-3rd
Returning All-Conference: Serena Sandvig (Honorable Mention)
Returning Starters: 5
Starters Lost: 3
Aubrey Havlichek - "We are anxious to hit the ground running this season with a strong core returning. They will be essential in molding the culture with our incoming freshmen and are looking to make a statement in conference play." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Summer Goss - S (Jr.) |
116-sets played // 565-assists // 4.87-assists/set // 420-digs |
| MacKenzie Gropel - S (So.) |
89-sets played // 615-assists // 6.91-assists/set // 142-digs |
| Emily Ivey - OH (Jr.) |
7-sets played // 3-kills // 1-block |
| Serena Sandvig - OH (Sr.) |
114-sets played // 173-kills // .246-attack% // 47-digs // 108-blocks |
| 8th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Lana Smith
2017 Record: 9-17, 1-7 Conference
2017 Finish: t-8th
Returning All-Conference: Hannah Lester (First-Team)
Returning Starters: 5
Starters Lost: 2
Lana Smith - “We are looking forward to the 2018 season bringing exciting matches each time we take the court. The league will be competitive as always. Our experienced returners and talented newcomers are looking forward to the opportunity to compete and work hard. |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Ty Duve - MH (Jr.) |
32-sets played // 26-kills // 15-blocks |
| Hanna Lester - MH (Jr.) |
104-sets played // 233-kills // .258-attack% // 93-blocks |
| Ariana Martinez - DS (So.) |
94-sets played // 25-assists // 346-digs // 3.68-digs/set |
| Morgan Taylor - OH (Jr.) |
100-sets played // 220-kills // 238-digs // |
| 9th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Jeanne Czipri
2017 Record: 9-24, 1-7 Conference
2017 Finish: t-8th
Returning All-Conference: None Returning
Returning Starters: 5
Starters Lost: 4
Jeanne Czipri - “We love being a part of this conference. It is as competitive as always, every night, regardless of your opponent, and we appreciate that high level of play! With a group of our core starting lineup graduating and a new class coming in, we are eager to see how our team comes together against the tough opponents of conference. There is a great deal of unknowns for us this year, but we are working tirelessly to close the gap and get the Dutch back on top of conference and in the region.” |
| Players to Watch: |
| Chapel Carter - S (Sr.) |
89-sets played // 485-assists // 5.45-assists/set // 155-digs |
| Erin Dilger - OH (Jr.) |
106-sets played // 159-kills // 51-blocks // 51-digs |
| Hanna Edgerton - MH (Jr.) |
121-sets played // 161-kills // 56-blocks |
| DaLana Kron - S/DS (So.) |
81-sets played // 14-assists // 202-digs |
| Melissa Miller - RS (Sr.) |
113-sets played // 177-kills // 114-digs // 49-blocks |
