Northern Colorado has been chosen to win the 2011 Big Sky Conference volleyball title according to a vote by the league’s coaches.
Northern Colorado Picked No. 1 In Preseason Poll
Complete Release in PDF Form
Ogden, Utah (Aug. 4, 2011) - Northern Colorado has been chosen to win the 2011 Big Sky Conference volleyball title according to a vote by the league’s coaches. Since joining the conference in 2006, this is the first time the Bears have ever been favored in the preseason.
The poll was released on Thursday by the league. The coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Northern Colorado received seven first-place votes for a total of 63 points. Last year, the Bears won a share of the regular-season title with Portland State. Northern Colorado’s head coach Lyndsey Benson enters her seventh season at the helm and led the Bears to a 24-7 overall and 14-2 league record. The Bears won the conference championship in 2009 by defeating the Vikings 3-1. That was the first title in any sport for Northern Colorado since joining the league.
The Bears return Libero of the Year Amanda Arterburn, Kelly Arnold and lost Ashley Lichtenberg.
Portland State is picked to finish second with two first-place votes and 55 total points. The Vikings won the 2010 conference tournament by defeating the Bears 3-2. Portland State is led by head coach Michael Seemann, who is in his fifth season and earned 2010 Coach of the Year. The Vikings finished the season 21-9 overall and 14-2 in league. They will host the 2011 Big Sky Conference Championships for the second time in a row. The top four teams will advance to the championships at the Scott Center on Nov. 25-26.
The Vikings have either won or shared three-regular season titles. Portland State lost its Most Valuable Player Whitney Phillips, but return Outstanding Freshman Garyn Schlatter, Nicole Bateham and Megan Ellis to the lineup.
Montana was chosen third by the coaches with 44 points. The Grizzlies finished the season 13-15 overall and 9-7 in the league. Last year at the championships, the Grizzlies lost to Portland State 3-2. Montana lost three-time first team All-Conference member Jaimie Thibeault and Stephanie Turner, but return Amy Roberts and Brittany Quick.
Sacramento State was fourth with 40 points. The Hornets finished the 2010 season with a record of 15-17 overall and 8-8 in the conference, missing the conference championships. Sacramento State has not been to a conference championship since 2008 when it was a six-team tournament. In 2007, the Hornets won their 11th straight conference title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Idaho State was picked fifth with 36 points. The Bengals went to the 2010 conference tournament and lost 3-2 to Northern Colorado. Idaho State lost Haylee Thompson-Brock and Brittan Bartschi-Rhodeshouse, but return Karissa Legaux and Jaclyn Hone.
The Bengals finished just two points ahead of sixth-place Eastern Washington. Rounding out the poll was Northern Arizona (7th, 26 points), Montana State (8th, 15 points) and Weber State (9th, 11 points).
The 2011 season begins Aug. 26, and the first conference matches start on Sept. 15.