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Volleyball
Bethel Volleyball Picked to Finish Second in MIAC Preseason Poll
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.—If fans haven't caught the buzz surrounding Bethel volleyball the past several years, they are truly missing out. The Royals were crowned Region Champions in 2015 after winning three consecutive matches in the NCAA Division III tournament and then became the first No. 5 seed to reach the MIAC championship match in 2016 after upsetting both the No. 4 and No. 1 seed on the road. As a result, BU has earned the respect from coaches around the league and Monday the Royals were voted No. 2 in the
MIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Bethel, who is receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll, returns a number of experienced veterans. Among those returning are All-MIAC honorees
Tina Hoppe and
Kristin Stern, who both contributed greatly during the program's run to the Elite 8 in 2015. Also looking to make a sizeable contribution is
Karin Canakes,
Dominique Dabu,
Bailey Israelson,
Emily Kukacka,
Mikayla Morrow, and
Brooke Olstad.
Leading the group from the bench is
Gretchen Hunt, who returns for her 17th season as the Royals' head coach. Hunt, who has amassed a 290-207 record (.584) throughout her career, has led Bethel to 11 MIAC Playoff and five NCAA tournament appearances. She's also helped BU compete in the last two MIAC championships.
The Royals begin their 2017 campaign in Southern California, where they'll compete in the Pacific Coast Classic on September 1-2. BU faces Chapman University and Pomona-Pitzer on Friday, September 1 at 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., followed by two more matches against Occidental College and Union College on Saturday, September 2 at 11:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. All times are scheduled in Pacific Time. (
Information |
Live video)
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2017 MIAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
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Rank
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Institution
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Total
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1.
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Gustavus Adolphus (8)
|
115
|
|
2.
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Bethel (2)
|
103
|
|
3.
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Augsburg (1)
|
101
|
|
4.
|
St. Thomas (1)
|
97
|
|
5.
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Saint Mary's
|
75
|
|
6.
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Saint Benedict
|
70
|
|
7.
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Carleton
|
59
|
|
8.
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Concordia
|
52
|
|
9.
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St. Catherine
|
39
|
|
10.
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Hamline
|
31
|
|
11.
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St. Olaf
|
29
|
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12.
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Macalester
|
21
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