Wayne State is listed fourth in the 2019 NSIC Preseason Volleyball coaches poll.
The Wildcats collected 178 points in voting conducted by league coaches. Wayne State returns five starters and its libero from last year’s team that was 22-9 overall and sixth in the NSIC with a 13-7 league mark.
Northern State won a close vote over Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota Duluth as the preseason favorite in the NSIC this season. NSU received six first-place votes and 209 points while both Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota Duluth tied for second with 203 points with CSP receiving five first-place tallies compared to four for UMD. Wayne State came in fourth with Southwest Minnesota State taking fifth at 170 points and the remaining first-place vote.
Wayne State’s Player to Watch in the NSIC this season is Jaci Brahmer. The 6-foot-1 junior earned second-team All-NSIC for a second straight season last year after averaging 2.29 kills and 1.16 blocks per set. She tied for first in the NSIC in blocks per set and led the Wildcats in attack percentage for a second straight season (.307).
Wayne State is scheduled to open the 2019 season on Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Cameron (Okla.) at the Missouri Southern Tournament in Joplin, Mo.
