The Ball State University women's volleyball team was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division in the preseason poll released by the league office Monday.
The Cardinals return three starters - junior outside hitter Julie Breivogel, junior opposite hitter Elaina Kakatolis and sophomore libero Alyssa Rio - from last season's team that was 5-25 overall and 4-12 in MAC play.
Ball State finished fifth in the MAC West and ninth overall during the 2007 season.
"I think it's a nice spot to be in," second-year head coach Dave Boos said. "Obviously we've moved up in the polls from where we finished last year."
The preseason poll, which is voted on by the league's head coaches, picked reigning West Division champion Western Michigan to top the West and 2007 MAC Tournament Champion Miami University to win the East Division.
MAC Defensive Player of the Year Caitlin Strimel is among Western Michigan's six starters who return from last year's team, which finished 21-12 and 12-4 in the MAC.
"The teams that were picked at the top have some high-quality players in key positions," Boos said. "I'm hoping that we can improve throughout the year and start maturing throughout the season [for conference matches]."
Boos said the preseason selection is a compliment from his fellow conference coaches for the Cardinals' recruiting efforts this offseason. Ball State has 10 newcomers to the team.
"I think people have realized the kind of talent that we have brought in," he said. "Now it's our job to go out and perform."
MAC East
MiamiOhioPreseason ranking: No. 22007 record: 26-6 (15-1 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 1-0Last MAC Championship: 2006Quick fact: After receiving an at-large bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament, Ohio lost to Purdue in the first round.
Kent StatePreseason ranking: No. 3 2007 record: 22-10 (11-5 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 1-0Last MAC Championship: NeverQuick fact: The Golden Flashes averaged a conference-high 2.48 blocks per game last season.
Bowling GreenPreseason ranking: No. 42007 record: 21-10 (12-4 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 1-0Last MAC Championship: 1991 Quick fact: As a junior, Kendra Halm led the MAC with 136 blocks last season.
AkronPreseason ranking: No. 52007 record: 10-20 (2-14 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 0-1 Last MAC Championship: NeverQuick fact: Akron has won one match against Ball State since the 1995 season.
BuffaloPreseason ranking: No. 62007 record: 2-31 (1-15 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 0-1Last MAC Championship: NeverQuick fact: Buffalo averaged a MAC-worst 10.91 kills per game last season.
MAC West
Western MichiganCentral MichiganPreseason ranking: No. 22007 record: 22-10 (10-6 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 2-0Last MAC Championship: NeverQuick fact: During the 2007 season, Central Michigan won its first MAC Tournament game since 1982.
Ball StatePreseason ranking: No. 32007 record: 5-25 (4-12 MAC)Last MAC Championship: 2002Quick fact: Ball State has three returning starters after setting a school record for the most single-season losses in 2007.
Northern IllinoisPreseason ranking: No. 42007 record: 14-18 (7-9 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 3-0Last MAC Championship: 2001Quick fact: The Huskies defeated the Cardinals in the first round of the 2007 MAC Tournament.
Eastern MichiganPreseason ranking: No. 52007 record: 20-14 (8-8 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 2-0Last MAC Championship: NeverQuick fact: Eastern Michigan beat Western Michigan in the MAC Tournament semifinals last season
ToledoPreseason ranking: No. 62007 record: 4-24 (1-15 MAC)2007 record vs. BSU: 0-2Last MAC Championship: NeverQuick fact: Toledo last beat Ball State in 1986 and has lost 41 consecutive matches to the Cardinals.
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