Wolverines Picked Eighth in Big Ten Preseason Poll
8/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team was picked eighth in the Big Ten Conference preseason poll, released by the conference office Thursday (Aug. 17).
The league's head coaches chose Michigan eighth in the 2006 preseason poll, one spot down from last season's No. 7 preseason ranking. Defending Big Ten champion and CSTV/AVCA preseason No. 2 Penn State was voted the league's No. 1 team, while Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio State rounded out the top four. Purdue, Northwestern and Michigan State rounded out the top seven.
In 2005, the Wolverines went 13-16 and missed out on the NCAA Tournament for just the second time under head coach Mark Rosen. The team finished last season's campaign tied for seventh place in the Big Ten standings with Illinois.
Michigan opens the 2006 season on Friday, Aug. 25, with a pair of matches in Toledo at the Clarion Hotel Westgate Rocket Classic. Michigan will take on Western Kentucky in the first match of the season before facing Binghamton in the nightcap.
2006 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1. | Penn State |
| 2. | Wisconsin |
| 3. | Minnesota |
| 4. | Ohio State |
| 5. | Purdue |
| 6. | Northwestern |
| 7. | Michigan State |
| 8. | Michigan |
| 9. | Illinois |
| 10. | Iowa |
| 11. | Indiana |
2006 Preseason All-Big Ten Conference Team
| Katie Johnson, Michigan State | Jr. | OH | Brooklyn, Mich. |
| Kelly Bowman, Minnesota (2) | Sr. | S | Maple Grove, Minn. |
| Jessy Jones, Minnesota | Jr. | MB | Naperville, Ill. |
| Meredith Nelson, Minnesota (2) | Sr. | MB | St. Croix Falls, Wis. |
| Marisa Main, Ohio State (2) | Sr. | S | Louisville, Ky. |
| Danielle Meyer, Ohio State | Jr. | MB | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Ami Stevens, Ohio State (2) | Jr. | OH | Centersburg, Ohio |
| Nicole Fawcett, Penn State | So. | OH | Zanesfield, Ohio |
| Christa Harmotto, Penn State | So. | MB | Aliquippa, Pa. |
| Melissa Walbridge, Penn State | Jr. | MB | Yardley, Pa. |
| Stephanie Lynch, Purdue | So. | MB | New Albany, Ind. |
| Audra Jeffers, Wisconsin | So. | OH | Hartland, Wis. |
(2) Two-time selection
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
