Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Mavericks Tabbed Third In Preseason Coaches' Poll
Aug 16, 2018 | Volleyball
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Omaha volleyball program was selected third in The Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced Thursday.
The third-place selection marks the highest preseason Summit League ranking in program history for the Mavericks, as the sophomore trio of Isabella Sade, Claire Mountjoy and Anna Blaschko were also selected as Preseason Players to Watch.
Last season, Sade became the first player in program history to earn Summit League Freshman of the Year honors, to go with her Summit League All-Freshman Team and All-Summit Honorable Mention awards. She also ranked second in the league with 1.04 blocks per set and started 27 of 28 matches in 2017.
Mountjoy was named to The Summit League All-Freshman Team last season. With 458 total digs and 4.67 digs per set, she ranked third among league players in both categories. She also tallied eight matches of 20 or more digs and two with 30 or more in 2017.
Blascko also garnered All-Freshman honors after she led The Summit League with 17 solo blocks on the season and ranked second in the league with 59 total blocks. At middle blocker, she averaged 1.97 kills and 1.03 blocks per set.
Omaha finished 10-18 with a 7-7 mark in league play last season. The Mavericks return six letterwinners from 2017 and welcome 11 newcomers.
The Mavericks are set to host the annual Black/White Scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m. in Baxter Arena. The regular season opens at the New Orleans Invitational, which takes place Aug. 24-25 in New Orleans, La.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
School – Points (First-place votes)
1. Denver – 63 (7)
2. North Dakota – 55 (2)
3. Omaha – 44
4. South Dakota – 43
5. Oral Roberts – 33
T6. Purdue Fort Wayne – 31
T6. North Dakota State – 31
8. South Dakota State – 13
9. Western Illinois - 11
2018 SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Becca Latham (Denver), Outside Hitter, Senior
Emma Willis (Denver), Middle Blocker, Senior
Katarina Marinkovic (Denver), Outside Hitter, Junior
Jordan Vail (North Dakota), Middle Hitter, Senior
Kayla Williams (North Dakota), Outside Hitter, Junior
Ashley Brueggeman (North Dakota), Outside Hitter, Junior
Anna Blaschko (Omaha), Middle Blocker, Sophomore
Claire Mountjoy (Omaha), Defensive Specialist, Sophomore
Isabella Sade (Omaha), Middle Blocker, Sophomore
Hayley Dotseth (South Dakota), Outside Hitter, Senior
Anne Rasmussen (South Daktota), Defensive Specialist, Junior
Bria Bergman (Oral Roberts), Setter, Senior
CeCe Madison (Oral Roberts), Outside Hitter, Junior
Nicole Rightnowar (Purdue Fort Wayne), Outside Hitter, Senior
Katie Crowe (Purdue Fort Wayne), Outside Hitter, Sophomore
McKenzie Burke (North Dakota State), Outside Hitter, Senior
Bella Lein (North Dakota State), Middle Hitter, Sophomore
Payton Richardson (South Dakota State), Middle Blocker, Senior
Ashlynn Smith (South Dakota State), Outside Hitter, Junior
Jaime Johnson (Western Illinois), Setter, Senior
Mackenzie Steckler (Western Illinois) Outside Hitter, Redshirt Sophomore
The third-place selection marks the highest preseason Summit League ranking in program history for the Mavericks, as the sophomore trio of Isabella Sade, Claire Mountjoy and Anna Blaschko were also selected as Preseason Players to Watch.
Last season, Sade became the first player in program history to earn Summit League Freshman of the Year honors, to go with her Summit League All-Freshman Team and All-Summit Honorable Mention awards. She also ranked second in the league with 1.04 blocks per set and started 27 of 28 matches in 2017.
Mountjoy was named to The Summit League All-Freshman Team last season. With 458 total digs and 4.67 digs per set, she ranked third among league players in both categories. She also tallied eight matches of 20 or more digs and two with 30 or more in 2017.
Blascko also garnered All-Freshman honors after she led The Summit League with 17 solo blocks on the season and ranked second in the league with 59 total blocks. At middle blocker, she averaged 1.97 kills and 1.03 blocks per set.
Omaha finished 10-18 with a 7-7 mark in league play last season. The Mavericks return six letterwinners from 2017 and welcome 11 newcomers.
The Mavericks are set to host the annual Black/White Scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m. in Baxter Arena. The regular season opens at the New Orleans Invitational, which takes place Aug. 24-25 in New Orleans, La.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
School – Points (First-place votes)
1. Denver – 63 (7)
2. North Dakota – 55 (2)
3. Omaha – 44
4. South Dakota – 43
5. Oral Roberts – 33
T6. Purdue Fort Wayne – 31
T6. North Dakota State – 31
8. South Dakota State – 13
9. Western Illinois - 11
2018 SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Becca Latham (Denver), Outside Hitter, Senior
Emma Willis (Denver), Middle Blocker, Senior
Katarina Marinkovic (Denver), Outside Hitter, Junior
Jordan Vail (North Dakota), Middle Hitter, Senior
Kayla Williams (North Dakota), Outside Hitter, Junior
Ashley Brueggeman (North Dakota), Outside Hitter, Junior
Anna Blaschko (Omaha), Middle Blocker, Sophomore
Claire Mountjoy (Omaha), Defensive Specialist, Sophomore
Isabella Sade (Omaha), Middle Blocker, Sophomore
Hayley Dotseth (South Dakota), Outside Hitter, Senior
Anne Rasmussen (South Daktota), Defensive Specialist, Junior
Bria Bergman (Oral Roberts), Setter, Senior
CeCe Madison (Oral Roberts), Outside Hitter, Junior
Nicole Rightnowar (Purdue Fort Wayne), Outside Hitter, Senior
Katie Crowe (Purdue Fort Wayne), Outside Hitter, Sophomore
McKenzie Burke (North Dakota State), Outside Hitter, Senior
Bella Lein (North Dakota State), Middle Hitter, Sophomore
Payton Richardson (South Dakota State), Middle Blocker, Senior
Ashlynn Smith (South Dakota State), Outside Hitter, Junior
Jaime Johnson (Western Illinois), Setter, Senior
Mackenzie Steckler (Western Illinois) Outside Hitter, Redshirt Sophomore
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
