FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

CCIW Preseason Volleyball Poll

Aug. 2, 2011 - The North Central College volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin this season, according to the annual preseason poll of the CCIW's head coaches.

The Cardinals return the bulk of their lineup, including five starters, from a team that finished 14-21 overall and 2-5 in the CCIW in 2010. North Central has two All-CCIW honorees, junior setter Ryan Lally and senior outside hitter Crystal Wright, returning from last season.

Carthage College, which had a five-year run of CCIW Championships snapped by Millikin University last season, is once again picked to win this year's title. The Lady Reds received 47 points and five first-place votes, while Millikin received 40 points and one first-place vote.

Elmhurst College is third in the poll with 39 points and two first-place votes, while North Central and Illinois Wesleyan University shared fourth place with 28 points each. Rounding out the poll were Wheaton College (18 points), Augustana College (17) and North Park University (7).

North Central opens the 2011 season Sept. 2 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Invitational. The Cardinals open CCIW play Sept. 13 at home against Elmhurst.