Thunder Volleyball Picked Fourth in MIAA Preseson Poll

ROYAL OAK, MICH.-- The Trine volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the MIAA by the conference's coaches in the league preseason poll, which was released Wednesday.

The Thunder received votes totaling 29 points in the poll. Trine is coming off their third-consecutive winning season, as they finished 16-15 overall and 8-8 in the MIAA. The conference mark was good enough for a tie for third-place. Setter Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) earned Second-Team All-MIAA honors last season and headlines Trine's returners.  Defending co-MIAA champions Hope and Calvin were picked first and second in the poll. The preseason poll is tallied from votes by the MIAA's head coaches.

In addition to Searles, the Thunder return their top three leaders in kills from a year ago. Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) averaged 3.41 kills per set on a .183 hitting percentage last season. Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) and Megan Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) each added around two kills per set.

Other key returners for Trine include middle hitter Olivia Deck (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) and outside hitter Laura Hartman (Laingsburg, Mich./Laingsburg). Deck was second on the team in blocks per set last season, while Hartman contributed just over a kill per set in her freshman campaign.

The returners will be joined by eight freshman looking to make an impact.

The regular-season opens Friday, Aug. 29 when Trine travels to Manchester University for the two-day HCAC/MIAA Crossover. First serve of the season is set for 3:00 p.m. against Rose-Hulman. The Thunder will also face Anderson, Franklin and Manchester in the Crossover.

The home-opener will come on Friday, Sep. 5 when the Thunder open conference play against defending-National Champion Calvin at 6:00 p.m. The complete schedule can be viewed HERE.

The complete MIAA Preseason Poll can be found below.