National notoriety follows Mens Volleyball
| Published: 01/11/2008 |
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With the 2007-2008 men's volleyball season just getting underway, coaches are taking notice of the MSOE Raiders as the team was recognized as a team receiving votes, with 17 points in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III preseason poll.
The Raiders were one position out of the top 15 teams in the national, as chosen by the select coaches that serve on the polling committee.
The Raider's host what could be arguably one of the toughest opening weekend tournaments among Division III schools. On Saturday, Jan. 19 and Sunday Jan. 20, MSOE will host the Wisconsin Invitational, bringing teams from across the country to the Kern Center in Milwaukee for great volleyball action.
The tournament will feature the preseason number three and last year's Molten Invitational Tournament runner-up, Carthage (No. 3), as well as UC Santa Cruz (No. 4), and Rivier (No. 11). Vassar just two positions out of the top 15 poll, and first-year varsity program Fontbonne (Mo.) join MSOE and round out the tournament field.
MSOE continues throughout the season facing nationally ranked opponents on their schedule. On their trip to Boston, they will face Rivier again; MIT (No. 9) and national poll mention Endicott. On March 13, Newbury (No. 12) will travel from the Boston area, to take on the Raiders at home.
Other nationally ranked programs include National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics powers Lindenwood, St. Ambrose and Cardinal Stritch, ranked in the NAIA poll, third, sixth, and eighth #8, respectively.
MSOE open the season at home on January 18 against Fontbonne University. Game time is slated for 7pm in the Kern Center Arena.
CSTV/AVCA Division III Men’s Top 15 Coaches PollPreseason Poll: January 8, 2008
| Rank |
School (First-Place Votes) |
Total Points |
2007 Record |
2007 Final Rank |
| 1 |
224 |
19-9 |
3 |
|
| 2 |
220 |
16-8 |
1 |
|
| 3 |
209 |
25-8 |
2 |
|
| 4 |
UC |
189 |
11-7 |
4 |
| 5 |
Stevens |
179 |
33-9 |
5 |
| 6 |
NYU |
169 |
13-16 |
6 |
| 7 |
119 |
23-7 |
9 |
|
| 8 |
D’Youville |
115 |
25-11 |
7 |
| 9 |
MIT |
106 |
27-6 |
11 |
| 10 |
Eastern Mennonite |
98 |
22-11 |
8 |
| 11 |
Rivier |
69 |
17-13 |
T-13 |
| 12 |
Newbury |
58 |
30-12 |
12 |
| 13 |
Medaille |
54 |
10-14 |
15 |
| 14 |
Ramapo |
41 |
26-14 |
NR |
| 15 |
SUNY New Paltz |
24 |
22-10 |
T-13 |
