INDIANAPOLIS—The Great Midwest released the preseason poll for the 2023 volleyball season, as voted by the league’s coaches. Hillsdale and Ashland were voted as the division favorites for the upcoming season. The Chargers received the most overall points (89) and first-place votes (10).
Hillsdale, 28-7 overall in 2022, has won the G-MAC tournament for six consecutive years. HC will miss five-time First-Team All-Conference selection in Karoline Shelton, but return Alli Wiese and Marilyn Popplewell, both standouts for the Chargers. Wiese, one of the league’s top liberos, appeared in all 35 matches, totaling 721 digs and 55 aces. Popplewell finished last season in the top 10 in kills per set (3.18) and points per set (3.41).
Ashland won 23 matches last season, including a 16-1 conference record. The Eagles, under first-year head coach Katie Kuhn, will look to claim the south division title for the third consecutive season. Outside Hitter Makenna Belcher returns for the Eagles after earning First-Team All-Great Midwest honors last year. Belcher started in all 32 matches, collecting 337 kills at a .221 hitting percentage. Fifth-year Anna Krikke is also a top-returner for Coach Kuhn. Krikke finished the 2022 season ranked third in the conference in blocks at 110 and was a first-team all-conference selection.
In the north division, Findlay garnered four first-place votes and collected 80 points. The Oilers return the sophomore-duo of Alana Pohlman and Emma White, two first-team honorees.
Coaches predicted Northwood to finish third in the north after finishing 10-8 in the conference last season. The Timberwolves will return 2022 Freshman of the Year in Sydney Hasenfratz.
Both Cedarville and Trevecca Nazarene collected three first-place votes a piece to round out the top three in the south.
The 2023 Great Midwest volleyball schedule can be found
here.
NORTH DIVISION
| Ranking |
Schools (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Hillsdale (10) |
89 |
| 2. |
Findlay (4) |
80 |
| 3. |
Northwood |
70 |
| 4. |
Walsh |
56 |
| 5. |
Malone |
43 |
| 6. |
Lake Erie |
31 |
| 7. |
Ursuline |
22 |
SOUTH DIVISION
| Ranking |
Schools (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Ashland (8) |
81 |
| 2. |
Cedarville (3) |
80 |
| 3. |
Trevecca Nazarene (3) |
69 |
| 4. |
Ohio Dominican |
53 |
| 5. |
Tiffin |
50 |
| 6. |
Thomas More |
31 |
| 7. |
Kentucky Wesleyan |
27 |