The Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team was picked to finish third in the Big Ten preseason coach’s poll, according to announcement on Thursday, Aug. 17 by Big Ten officials.
Penn State was tabbed as the favorite to win the Big Ten by the coaches. Wisconsin was picked to finish second, while Ohio State was selected fourth. Rounding out the preseason coaches poll was Purdue at fifth, Northwestern in sixth, Michigan State at seventh, Michigan in eighth, Illinois at ninth, Iowa in 10th and Indiana in 11th.
Minnesota also had three players named to the Preseason All-Big Ten team, which was represented by players from six different squads. Seniors Meredith Nelson (St. Croix Falls, Wis.) and Kelly Bowman (Maple Grove, Minn.) were both named to the preseason team for a second year in a row. Bowman and Nelson join Ohio State’s Marissa Main and Ami Stevens as the only two-time preseason All-Big Ten selections. Minnesota junior middle blocker Jessy Jones (Naperville, Ill.) was also named to the team for the first time in her career.
The Golden Gophers tied for the most players named to the preseason all-conference team, joining Ohio State and Penn State who also had three. Rounding out the preseason all-conference selections were Katie Johnson (Michigan State), Danielle Meyer (Ohio State), Nicole Fawcett (Penn State), Christa Harmotto (Penn State), Melissa Walbridge (Penn State), Stephanie Lynch (Purdue) and Audra Jeffers (Wisconsin).
Minnesota is coming off a 2005 season that saw it finish 25-8 overall, and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Golden Gophers finished tied for third place in the Big Ten with Ohio State at 14-6.
The Golden Gophers will host their Alumni Match on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Minnesota opens up the regular-season at the Billiken Invitational at host St. Louis on Friday, Sept 1 at 7 p.m.
Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Penn State
2. Wisconsin
3. Minnesota
4. Ohio State
5. Purdue
6. Northwestern
7. Michigan State
8. Michigan
9. Illinois
10. Iowa
11. Indiana
Big Ten Preason All-Big Ten Team
Katie Johnson (Michigan State)
Kelly Bowman (Minnesota)
Jessy Jones (Minnesota)
Meredith Nelson (Minnesota)
Maria Main (Ohio State)
Danielle Meyer (Ohio State)
Ami Stevens (Ohio State)
Nicole Fawcett (Penn State)
Christa Harmotto (Penn State)
Melissa Walbridge (Penn State)
Stephanie Lynch (Purdue)
Audra Jeffers (Wisconsin)
