FREELAND, MICH. – The Trine women's volleyball team was picked seventh in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Poll that was released today.

The Thunder received 19 points to finish in the seventh spot. The point totals are determined by votes cast by the league's coaches, who cannot vote for their own team. Calvin (Mich.) College finished first in the poll with 64 points and eight first-place votes. Hope (Mich.) College was the other lone first-place vote getter in second with 55 points.  Rounding out the top four was Adrian (Mich.) College with 49 points and Saint Mary's College with 45 points.

"After last season we expected to be low in the poll," said Trine Head Coach Jamie Wozniak, "But its a new season, we are young, we are ready, and we are excited. No matter what the poll says we plan on making our way back to the top four."

The team will be led by captains senior Samantha Ihrie (Kedallville/East Noble) and juniors Raven Hood (Monroe, Mich./Airport) and Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg).

In addition to their captain's duties Hood and Scott will look to make more of a contribution on the court this season. Last season Hood was second on the team in assists with 191 and led the team in attack percentage with .420. Scott led the team's hitters, and was second overall on the team, in attack percentage with .199, while also finishing second on the team in kills (189) and first in total blocks (70).

"Sam has already provided the team with great senior leadership, some of the best we have ever had," said Wozniak. In addition to her leadership role, Ihrie will look to continue contributing to the team as a setter. Last year she led the team with 428 assists.

In the middle, Coach Wozniak expects juniors Morgan Harris (Crown Point/Merrillville) and Emma Lucas (Hamilton) to build on their perfomances last year. Harris finished last season third on the team in total blocks (64) while Lucas finished fourth (33). The returners will be joined by six-foot newcomer Sarah Toles (Kendallville/East Noble).

Sophomore Molly Smith (Angola) will once again take up her position on the outside after finishing last season fourth in kills (98). Joining Smith will be newcomers Becca Moon (Charlevoix, Mich./Charlevoix), Emma Gaff (Hamilton) and Madison Munger (Indianapolis/Franklin Central).

"This group of hitters is going to anchor the outside with their athleticism, despite their youth," said Wozniak.

Joining Hood and Ihrie in the setter ranks will be freshman Jacqueline Baughman (Lake Orion, Mich./Lutheran Northwest) and sophomore Alexa Ratkowski (Bronson, Mich./Bronson).

Defensively the team returns sophomores Danielle Stanichuk (Troy, Mich./Athens) and Kaylyn Forrest (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beatty). Stanichuk, in limited playing time, finished last season sixth on the team in digs (104). Joining the two returners is freshman Lindsey DeCamp (New Haven). 

2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll