Northwestern College was picked as the favorite in the GPAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' poll released earlier today by the league office.

    GPAC Press Release | PDF

The Red Raiders accounted for 10 of the 12 first place votes and totaled 119 points in the preseason ranking. Midland, a 2018 national semifinalist, is second with 106 points, followed by Dordt (99pts), Hastings (87pts) and University of Jamestown (84). All five teams, along with Morningside, qualified for the NAIA Volleyball National Championship last December. 

Northwestern returns eight starters and 10 letter winners from a 2018 team that finished in a three-way tie for second in the conference at 13-3, 26-9 overall. They advanced out of pool play and into the round of 16 before losing to Viterbo (Wis.). Kyle Van Den Bosch begins his 15th season as the Red Raiders head coach, owning a 397-118 overall record and leading teams to the NAIA Championship nine times.

The Red Raiders open preseason camp on Monday, August 12 and begin the 2019 season at home with its Classic on August 23-24.

2019 GPAC Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll:

Place – Team – Pts (1^st Place Votes)
1. Northwestern - 119 (10)
2. Midland  - 106
3. Dordt  - 99 (1)
4. Hastings - 87 (1)
5. Jamestown  - 84
6. Morningside - 68
7. Doane  - 60
8. Concordia - 55
9. Dakota Wesleyan - 43
10. College of Saint Mary - 36
11. Briar Cliff – 24
12. Mount Marty – 11