The exciting Hope/Calvin volleyball rivalry of recent years will
continue in the upcoming season if the pollsters are correct.
The Calvin Knights and Hope Flying Dutch have been tabbed to finish
one-two in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)
race and both teams are included in the top ten of the American
Volleyball Coaches Association national pre-season NCAA Division III
poll -- Calvin at #3 and Hope at #8.
A year ago Calvin and Hope were one-two in the MIAA standings and each
advanced to the NCAA championships where the Knights eliminated the
Flying Dutch from competition. Calvin ended the season with a 33-1
record while Hope was 25-7.
In this year's pre-season poll of MIAA coaches Calvin received six
first places votes while Hope garnered three. The complete poll: 1.
Calvin 10 pts., 2. Hope 13, 3. Alma 26, 4. Trine 29, 5. Kalamazoo 38,
6. Saint Mary's 40, 7. Adrian 48, 8. Olivet 58, 9. Albion 62.
The top-ranked team in the national poll is Christopher Newport, Va.
Defending national champion Wittenberg, Ohio is ranked third.
This season Hope and Calvin have an added incentive to gain the NCAA
championships as Hope will host the national finals at DeVos
Fieldhouse on Nov. 15-17.