Contact: Lou Groce, Director of Media and Information, 920-229-8157

GRINNELL, Iowa – Since rejoining the Midwest Conference (MWC) prior to the 2012 season, the Cornell College volleyball team has won every MWC volleyball championship.  The Rams are expected to earn the crown again in 2017, based on the results of the league’s coaches’ poll. 

Cornell earned eight of out of a possible nine first-place votes to earn 80 points atop the poll.  Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.  St. Norbert College earned the final two first-place votes and finished second in the poll with 74 points.  The Green Knights upset the Rams last season in the MWC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.  The two programs have met in the MWC Tournament finals for five straight seasons. 

Lawrence University garnered 61 points in the poll to finish third and Ripon College is expected to make the conference tournament after finishing fourth (53).  Grinnell College finished fifth in the preseason rankings (51) after finishing third in the league last season. 

Illinois College earned 42 points to take sixth and are followed by Lake Forest College with 36.  Knox College (26), Monmouth College (18) and Beloit College (9) complete the poll. 

MWC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Cornell (8) 80
2. St. Norbert (2) 74
3. Lawrence 61
4. Ripon 53
5. Grinnell 51
6. Illinois College 42
7. Lake Forest 36
8. Knox 26
9. Monmouth 18
10. Beloit 9