ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Northern State University volleyball squad was picked to finish 10th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Wolves, who finished in a tie for tenth place in 2009, received 62 points in the 2010 poll, claiming sole possession of the tenth spot in the 14-team poll.
Three-time NCAA Division II National Champion Concordia-St. Paul received 11 first place votes and finished with 166 points to take the top spot in the poll. The Golden Bears’ Emily Palkert, a returning All-American and First Team All-NSIC selection, was tabbed as the Preseason Player of the Year.
Voting for the preseason poll and awards is conducted by the league’s 14 head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own teams or players.
Minnesota Duluth picked up a pair of first place votes and finished second in the poll with 147 points, followed closely by Minnesota State, Mankato, which received the final first place nod and 142 overall points. Wayne State (136) and Southwest Minnesota State (134) rounded out the top five picks.
NSU junior Jordan Schaffer was tabbed as the Wolves’ Preseason Player to Watch. Schaffer, who led the team in total kills and was second in digs last season, was a 2009 Honorable Mention All-NSIC selection.
The Wolves reported to their 2010 preseason fall camp on Sunday and began practice Monday morning. The team officially kicks off the season on Sept. 3-4 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha Volleyball Showcase tournament.
Related: Complete NSIC Poll Release