Kent State Picked Third in MAC Volleyball Poll
8/27/2015 12:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Coming off the program's best season since 2007, the Kent State volleyball team has been picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division in to the conference's preseason coaches poll, which was released Thursday (Aug. 27).
The Golden Flashes have finished ahead of their projected finish each of the past two seasons.
After guiding Kent State to a 17-14 record last season, head coach Don Gromala welcomes back 11 letterwinners, including starters Kelsey Bittinger, Kelly Hutchison, Brittney Jakscht, Sarah Mills and Bridget Wilhelm. The Flashes posted a 8-8 conference mark to finish third in the MAC East a season ago. As the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament, Kent State knocked off No. 6 Eastern Michigan before falling to No. 3 Miami in the quarterfinals.
Ohio is projected to win the East Division, a feat the Bobcats have accomplished in each of the past 13 seasons. The Bobcats were also picked to win both the overall regular season and tournament titles.
In the West Division, Northern Illinois was selected as the favorite, followed closely by 2014 MAC Tournament champion Western Michigan.
Kent State opens the season this weekend with four matches at the Maryland Invitational, beginning with a 3 p.m. contest against Morgan State on Friday (Aug. 28). The Flashes then make their debut at the M.A.C. Center with the Golden Flashes Classic on Sept. 4-5.
The 2015 MAC Volleyball Tournament will be held Nov. 19-22 with the top eight teams in the conference competing for a postseason bid at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio.
Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased for just $35. Call the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 to order or for more information.
2015 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
MAC East
1. Ohio (10 first place votes)
2. Miami (2)
3. Kent State
4. Bowling Green
5. Buffalo
6. Akron
MAC West
1. Northern Illinois (7 first place votes)
2. Western Michigan (5)
3. Ball State
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
Predicted MAC Regular Season Champion
1. Ohio (10)
2. Miami (1)
3. Northern Illinois (1)
Predicted MAC Tournament Champion
1. Ohio (8)
2. Northern Illinois (3)
3. Eastern Michigan (1)
