The defending SLIAC regular season champion (Greenville University) and defending tournament champion (Fontbonne University) are the coaches picks atop the 2023 volleyball poll.
Greenville accumulated 76 total points, with five first-place votes, and are the preseason favorites. Head Coach Tom Ackerman returns 12 players from a squad that completed a second straight undefeated conference regular season. He has a strong core with All-Conference performers Chasity Hill, Mia Bonacorsi, and Lainey Hicks. Hill was the SLIAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year last season. Bonacorsi was one of only four SLIAC players to top 300 kills last year while Hicks was the only player to top 100 blocks. Also back is starting setter Kaitlin Murray, who averaged 5.50 assists per set. Newcomers Emma Ratermann, Taryn Russell, Payton Hamm, and Abby Grohman should see time on the court this season.
Fontbonne totaled 74 points and four first-place nods. The Griffins return five starters from last year's team that won the program's first conference tournament since 2005. Leading the way are Hannah Gallagher and Ella Werner-Click. Gallagher was a First Team All-SLIAC selection after totaling 210 kills and 236 digs with 35 aces last season. Werner-Click led the SLIAC in assists, averaging 8.78 per set and was the First Team All-SLIAC setter. Kristen Kaempfe led the team with 221 kills last season and will lineup opposite Gallagher. Also back are Jackie Drury, Jordan Harpel, Emma Harrop, and Kiya Kolb. Incoming freshmen Riley Watson, Paige Rowland, and Jordan Christopher all could work their way into the rotation for head coach Jimmy Stika
Coming in 3rd on the poll is Webster University with 60 total points. Head Coach Merry Graf brings back 11 players and welcomes in 11 newcomers this fall. Defensively the Gorloks bring back First Team player Cassie Gray, who led the SLIAC with 537 digs last season as a sophomore. After battling injuries last season, two-time SLIAC Player of the Year Lauren Borik returns for a final season. The Gorloks also bring back a pair of experienced setters in Delaney Demman and Ellie Biedenstein as well as attackers Madison Katz, Alyssa Jones, and Tyler Ramstack.
Westminster College received the last first-place vote and tied for 3rd on the poll with 60 points. Head Coach Dalton Tucker will have to retool his team after losing 60-percent of their offense from last year. He begins that chore with two All-Conference players in Malena Bixby and Meghan Nolte. Bixby led the SLIAC with 366 kills last season while Nolte totaled 190 kills and 69 blocks. The Blue Jays welcome in seven newcomers to help fill the void on offense.
First-year SLIAC member Lyon College picked up 38 points, finishing in 5th place on the poll. Scots head coach Kortney Cunningham brings back nine players as well as bringing in 17 newcomers. Libero Erin Haigwood gives the team plenty of experience and totaled 500 digs last season. The offense will be led by Kylee Sabella, who totaled 299 kills as a freshman last year. Of the new faces to the program, Keeley Beary, Lauren White, and Claire Carothers should work their way into the lineup. Transfer Bethany Williams should also play a key role.
Spalding University was picked 6th with 38 points. The Golden Eagles are coached by Taryn Glass and bring back 12 players from last year's squad. All-Conference setter Ella Clark made an immediate impact on the program as a freshman last year, recording 596 assists and 150 digs while leading the team in aces. Her favorite outlet Jayda Branch is also back after leading the team with 287 kills last season. Abigail Ratts, Jordan Sarver, and Kayla Dunican give the Golden Eagles additional options on the attack.
Blackburn College tied for 7th with 32 points. The Beavers and head coach Marlee Kirby return 10 players including five starters from last year's team. Third Team All-SLIAC performer Jessica Muckensturm finished with 177 kills and 43 blocks last season and will be a force in the middle. Also back are Emily Eitzenhefer, Emilie King, and Kyleigh Marty; all who topped 100 kills last season. The versatile Holly Heuerman recorded 222 digs and 27 aces last year.
Also receiving 32 points was Eureka College, tying for 7th place. First-year Red Devils head coach Candace Van Bogaert comes into a program that has 10 returners and six starters coming back. Both starting outside hitters, Alexis Charlton and Brooklyn Shell, return after combining for nearly 400 kills last year. Madison Richards topped 100 kills and led the team in blocks as a freshman last year and is expected to expand on her role with her continued growth and experience. The Red Devils will again utulize a two-setter system and return both setters from last year; Hope McGinnes and Sara Hart. Several transfers (Payton Florine, Brittany Mekelburg, Halle Gauna, and Katie Haffner) join the program and will be counted on to make an immediate impact.
Mississippi University for Women was chosen 9th with 30 points. Head Coach Halee Hensley is in her third season with the Owls and returns 11 players including six starters from last year's team that qualified for the USCAA nationals. Maggie Griggs led the team with 157 kills last season while Maddy Suggs recorded 422 digs as both players earned All-American status.
Principia College finished with 9 points for 10th place. The Panthers are coached by Geoffrey Davis and last year was the program's first season fielding a team since 2019.
2023 SLIAC Volleyball Preseason Watch List
Malena Bixby, Westminster College
Mia Bonacorsi, Greenville University
Lauren Borik, Webster University
Ella Clark, Spalding University
Hannah Gallagher, Fontbonne University
Cassie Gray, Webster University
Maggie Griggs, MUW
Erin Haigwood, Lyon College
Lainey Hicks, Greenville University
Chasity Hill, Greenville University
Kristen Kaempfe, Fontbonne University
Jessica Muckensturm, Blackburn College
Meghan Nolte, Westminster College
Maddy Suggs, MUW
Ella Werner-Click, Fontbonne University