ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll for the 2021 fall volleyball season was officially released on Wednesday morning, and the University of Northwestern has been predicted to finish first overall in the conference.
The Eagles, ranked No. 20 in the nation by the AVCA this week, earned 49 points with all seven first-place votes from their UMAC rivals. Northwestern will pursue their 11
th consecutive regular season championship this fall following a spring season in which they went 9-0 against conference opponents with a 27-1 advantage in sets won. UNW also looks to defend their UMAC Tournament title, which they have won in 10 of the last 13 seasons.
Minnesota Morris, who faced the Eagles in the UMAC Tournament Championship game this past spring, placed second in the poll with 43 points, earning the remaining first-place vote from Northwestern.
UW-Superior (37), Bethany Lutheran (28), and Northland (26) were predicted to place third, fourth, and fifth respectively. North Central (18), Martin Luther (15), and Crown (8) rounded out the remainder of the poll.
Northwestern opens their 2021 fall season on Wednesday, September 1, at 7 p.m. in the Ericksen Center against UW-Eau Claire. The Eagles then host the Katherine Pals Legacy Invitational starting Friday, September 3.
2021 UMAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| 1. |
No. 20 Northwestern |
49 (7) |
| 2. |
Minnesota Morris |
43 (1) |
| 3. |
Wisconsin-Superior |
37 |
| 4. |
Bethany Lutheran |
28 |
| 5. |
Northland |
26 |
| 6. |
North Central |
18 |
| 7. |
Martin Luther |
15 |
| 8. |
Crown |
8 |
