August 19, 2008 - For the second year in a row, the Hillsdale College volleyball team opens a season ranked among the very best programs in the nation and in the conference.

The Chargers are ranked 18th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Top 25 poll, released early Tuesday evening. Hillsdale received 298 poll points, and is one of three GLIAC schools ranked in the preseason poll, joining Grand Valley State (6th) and Ashland (21st).

For the third straight year, the Hillsdale College volleyball team was picked to win the GLIAC South Division in the conference's preseason coaches poll, released early Wednesday evening.

The Chargers are two-time defending GLIAC South Division champions, and have won 32 of their last 34 conference matches, dating back to the start of the 2006 season. Hillsdale returns four startes off last year's team that finished 26-8 overall and 15-2 in the GLIAC.

The Chargers earned 23 poll points and three first-place votes. Second-place Ashland was just one point behind Hillsdale, also receiving three first-place votes while netting 22 poll points.

The North and South Divisions underwent some slight modifications for the 2008 season. Erie, Pa. schools Gannon and Mercyhurst left the GLIAC, with new arrival Tiffin joining the South Division. Northwood University is now a South Division team, balancing out the two divisions with six teams apiece.

Northwood was picked to finish third in the South Division, followed by Findlay, Wayne State and Tiffin, respectively.

Grand Valley State University was picked to win the North Division, picking up four of a possible five first-place votes. Northern Michigan University finished in second place in the division's preseason poll.

Hillsdale finished 16th in the final 2007 Top 25 poll, recording a 26-8 record to go along with a GLIAC South Division championship, and its fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. Over the past two seasons, the Chargers are 55-10 overall.

Hillsdale has been ranked in the AVCA Division II Top 25 poll every week since September 2006. The 2008 Chargers return four starters from last year's team, and will be bolstered by an extremely talented freshman class.

An early test awaits the team on Aug. 29, when its in second match of the season, Hillsdale will face No. 8 Minnesota-Duluth. The match will take place at the Ferris State University Tournament, held in Big Rapids.

To view the complete AVCA and GLIAC preseason polls, click on the links below.

AVCA Division II Top 25 Volleyball Preseason Poll

2008 GLIAC Preseason Volleyball Poll