The Thunder received 30 votes and tied with Saint Mary's. Last season Trine finished with a 12-16 overall record and an 8-8 mark in conference play.
Trine returns two starters in junior outside hitter Emma Bowman (Corvallis, Ore. / Saint Joseph) and sophomore outside hitter Janaya Wilder (Decatur, Ind. / Bellmont).
Bowman was second on the team in hitting percentage at .180, while averaging 1.07 kills per set. She was a defensive force at the net, leading the team with 85 total blocks and .93 blocks per set. Wilder held an average of 2.20 kills per set and hit .132 percent.
Also returning for the Thunder is sophomore outside hitter Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg). Scott led the team in hitting percentage at .194 and averaged 1.34 kills per set. She also helped the team defensively with 62 total blocks to average .61 blocks per set.
The Thunder opens its season Friday, Sept. 2 at the Ohio Northern Invitational, where the team will play four matches in two days. The home opener is set for Sept. 9 against Calvin.
Calvin was selected as the preseason favorite in the MIAA by the conference's coaches. The complete results of the poll are listed below.
MIAA Preseason Volleyball Poll
Place. Team, Points
1. Calvin, 64
2. Hope, 57
3. Adrian, 49
4. Albion, 35
5. Alma, 34
T6. Saint Mary's, 30
T6. Trine, 30
8. Olivet, 14
9. Kalamazoo, 11