2011 AVCA Division II Top 25 preseason poll


August 16, 2011 - The Hillsdale College volleyball team is considered a top-10 program in the country in Division II as the 2011 season opens.

Tuesday night, the American Volleyball Coaches Association released its 2011 preseason top 25 poll, and Hillsdale College was ranked 10th in the first poll of the new season. The Chargers compiled a 29-2 record in 2010, but were ranked 12th in the final poll.

The team started official practice Monday, and comes into the season with high hopes. Twelve letterwinners return from the 2010 squad that went undefeated in conference play and won the GLIAC tournament championship for the second season in a row. Two AVCA All-Americans lead the returning lineup: Outside hitter Ashlee Crowder and middle hitter Clara Leutheuser.

The preseason top 25 poll is filled with Charger opponents this season, including Grand Valley State, who enters the poll as the highest-ranked GLIAC team (No. 8).

Hillsdale's first opponent of the season is the University of Minnesota-Duluth, who finished the 2010 campaign in Hillsdale's current spot of 10th. The Bulldogs are ranked 12th in this year's preseaosn poll, and figure to give Hillsdale a huge test in the season opener for both teams at the University of Indianapolis tournament on Friday, Sept. 2.

Later on that opening day, Hillsdale will face 15th-ranked Indianapolis, a team that's been a thorn in the Chargers' side in recent years. The Greyhounds eliminated Hillsdale from the NCAA regional tournament in 2007, 2009 and 2010. UIndy lost to Grand Valley State in the 2010 Midwest Regional Final, which was held at Hillsdale.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, the Chargers will take on 19th-ranked West Florida in Indianapolis.

Northern Michigan is the third and final GLIAC team to get nationally ranked in this year's preseason poll, checking in at No. 25. The Wildcats figure to return a powerful team in 2011 after qualifying for regionals with a young lineup a year ago.