FREELAND, Mich. -- The Trine University was selected to finish third in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Preseason Coaches Poll released today, Tuesday, March 2.

The Thunder received votes tallying 35 points to finish in the third spot. The point totals are determined by votes cast by association coaches, who cannot vote for their own team. Calvin University finished first in the poll receiving the maximum of 49 points including seven first-place votes. Hope College picked up the other first-place mark and received a total of 43 points to enter the season ranked second.

Trine finished the 2019 regular season in a tie for third in the MIAA with a  5-3 record. They went into the postseason as the number three seed and came up with a first-round victory over visiting Saint Mary's College before bowing out in the semi-finals.

This past fall the Thunder picked up four wins during non-conference play, dropping just three sets total.

Currently, senior Madison Munger (Indianapolis, Ind. / Franklin Central) leads the way for the team with 62 kills, while classmate Sara Toles (Kendallville, Ind. / East Noble) follows behind with 44. Toles also leads the way with 11 total blocks with freshman Hannah Sands (Jonesville, Mich. / Jonesville) following behind with eight.

Sophomore Joslynn Battle (Lowell, Mich. / Lowell) leads the team with 140 assists. Senior Lindsey Decamp (New Haven, Ind. / New Haven) leads the way with 66 digs.

Service has emerged as a strong suit for the team with sophomore Paris Outwater (Bronson, Mich.) leading the way with nine aces with Battle and DeCamp tied for second with eight apiece.

The team will start their 2021 slate of games on Wednesday, March 24 when they travel to face Kalamazoo College in a 7 p.m. contest.