Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, Iowa – Cornell College was selected atop the Midwest Conference (MWC) volleyball preseason coaches' poll, announced Monday afternoon.
 
The Rams collected six first-place votes and 62 points to lead all teams. Last season, Cornell went undefeated in league play and finished 20-12 overall to claim its ninth program MWC championship.
 
Grinnell College picked up three first-place votes and 56 points to place second in the poll. The Pioneers ended the regular season and the tournament as the runner-up to Cornell during the 2021 campaign.
 
Illinois College came in third with 48 points, just three points ahead of Monmouth College (45) in fourth.
 
In fifth place, Lake Forest College totaled 39 points, followed by Knox College (26), Ripon College (22), Beloit College (14), and Lawrence University (12).
 
The 2022 MWC volleyball season tips off on Thursday, September 1, with three teams in non-conference action. League play begins Friday, September 23, as eight MWC teams square off.
 
The four-team MWC Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for November 4-5, 2022. The number one seed at the conclusion of the season will host, and the winner will move on to the NCAA Tournament field.
 
Full preseason coaches' poll results and quick facts for all nine league teams can be found below: 
 
2022 MWC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll Results 
1. Cornell College (6) – 62 points 
2. Grinnell College (3) – 56 points 
3. Illinois College – 48 points 
4. Monmouth College – 45 points 
5. Lake Forest College – 39 points 
6. Knox College – 26 points 
7. Ripon College – 22 points 
8. Beloit College – 14 points 
9. Lawrence University – 12 points 
 
() – indicates first-place votes 
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams. 
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Lehua Kadooka (4^th Season)
2021: 7-15 (overall); 0-9 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jeff Meeker (22^nd Season)
2021: 20-12 (overall); 8-0 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Clare Green (So), Rory Light (Sr), Illah Perez-Johnson (Jr),
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Eric Ragan (6^th Season)
2021: 20-14 (overall); 7-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Emily Brewer (Jr), Jenna Keller (Jr)
 
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Alicia Wood (3^rd Season)
2021: 11-15 (overall); 6-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Jen Humbolt (Sr)
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Pat Barry (4^th Season)
2021: 10-15 (overall); 3-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Catessa Duran (Fifth Year), Emme Patton (So)
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Katie Rueffer (4^th Season)
2021: 9-18 (overall); 4-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Mary Gegen (Jr)
 
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Kim Falkenhagen (4^th Season)
2021: 5-18 (overall); 0-8 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Emily Butler (4^th Season)
2021: 14-15 (overall); 5-3 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Ripon College Red Hawks 
Head Coach: Katie Astrauskas (13^th Season)
2021: 10-17 (overall); 2-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A