FREELAND, Mich. – The volleyball coaches of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) have voted Trine fourth in the 2021 preseason poll, tied with Alma at 39 points.
Calvin was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the league with 63 points and Hope right behind them in second at 58 points. The only other team ahead of the Thunder in the voting was Albion, who received 50 points.
In the non-traditional 2020-21 season, the Trine women's volleyball team finished 8-5 overall, with a 3-4 record in MIAA play. The conference portion of the schedule was completed in the spring of 2021, including the MIAA Volleyball Tournament, where the Thunder dropped a five-set Quarterfinal match to Alma.
The Thunder return one member of the All-Conference team from one season ago: setter Jacqueline Baughman [Lake Orion, Mich. / Lutheran Northwest]. Baughman was voted First Team All-MIAA in 2019 and Second Team All-MIAA in 2020. She was also the program's first ever CoSIDA Academic All-American last year. In her career, Baughman sits fifth in Trine history for career assists with 1,614 heading into the 2021 campaign. Baughman accumulated 309 assists (9.66 per set), 100 digs and 15 service aces in nine matches last season.
Middle blocker Chloe Behm [Albion, Ind. / Central Noble] looks to be a staple in the Thunder rotation in 2021 as well. In the 36 sets that Behm competed in, she had the second-most blocks on the team last season with 19. Behm also chipped in with 34 kills.
Defensive specialist Paris Outwater [Bronson, Mich. / Bronson] is another key returner for the Thunder this season. Outwater led the Trine backline in digs with 175 last season, with a reception percentage of .953. Her 17 service aces are good for second on the Thunder team from the previous year.
