The GLIAC has released preseason coaches’ poll rankings for the women’s soccer, men’s football and women’s volleyball teams this season.
The women’s volleyball team received the highest ranking in the GLIAC 2013 coaches’ poll of the three teams to receive rankings from Northern Michigan University.
The ’Cats were selected fifth in the GLIAC North Division, which consists of eight teams total. The women’s soccer team was ranked seventh in the GLIAC conference, while the men’s football team was ranked seventh in the GLIAC North Division.
Led by head coach Dominic Yoder, the women’s volleyball team finished the 2012 season with a winning record, the 10th straight season that the ’Cats have accomplished such a feat.
Yoder said the preseason rankings are accurate, but are not going to serve as a limiting factor to the ’Cats.
“Last year’s competitive play was exactly how it played out in last year’s standings,” Yoder said. “But preseason rankings are just what they are, there is no bearing over what we are going to do this season.”
The Wildcats ended with a 20-12 overall record, finishing 12-6 in conference play during the 2012 season to earn the ranking. The number one ranked team in the conference, Northwood University, is followed by Ferris State University, Hillsdale University and Grand Valley State University before reaching the Wildcats, who take over the fifth spot.
Yoder said he expects Northwood to come out strong this season with some of its newest members added to the team.
“They return some good players,” Yoder said. “It’ll be interesting to see how the (new recruits) fit into the system.”
Rival Michigan Tech ranks seventh in the preseason poll, two spots below the Wildcats in the North Division polls. Ashland University holds the top spot in the volleyball preseason polls.
The women’s soccer team also received ranking for the preseason coaches’ poll. With head coach Matt Granstrand returning for the 2013 season, the Wildcats were chosen seventh of 13 GLIAC teams.
Granstrand said the preseason rankings do not mean much to him, as they are only preseason.
“At the end of the day it’s a whole new year,” Granstrand said. “We’ve all reloaded and you have to play the games.”
The number one pick in the GLIAC for women’s soccer teams was Grand Valley State University for the 2013 season. The Lakers are noted for their eight consecutive conference titles, finishing with a 20-2-3 record in 2012.
Michigan Tech took the second place ranking for women’s soccer, earning one vote for the number one spot in the coaches’ poll.
The NMU men’s football team was also chosen for the seventh place position, however in the GLIAC North Division preseason rankings, out of eight North Division teams. The Wildcat ranking comes after a 4-7 overall record in 2012.
Grand Valley State University, in addition to taking first on the women’s soccer end, also takes the number one spot in GLIAC rankings on the football field after a 8-3 overall finish, 7-3 in the GLIAC.
Head coach Chris Ostrowsky said the team rankings do not mean a whole lot, especially since the ’Cats improved greatly at the end of last season.
“I think if you look at our body of improvement of the last year’s season, and the product we put out on the field,” Ostrowsky said, “we can build upon that success.”
Ashland University led the men’s GLIAC rankings for the South Division football preseason poll. Ashland finished 6-5 overall in the 2012 season and 6-4 in conference play.
Ostrowsky said the Wildcats need to focus on specific aspects in order to improve this year.
“Preseason does not mean a whole lot in terms of preparation,” Ostrowsky said. “I think with an understanding of playing together and playing fast, we’ll be very successful.”
The Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 at Minnesota Duluth.
The women’s volleyball team opens the season at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at the UWF Invite in Pensacola, Fla.
The men’s football team does not open until 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Superior Dome against the University of Findlay.
