2017 VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-PACWEST TEAM

2017 PacWest Volleyball Poll
1.	Concordia (10)	189
2.	California Baptist (3)	179
3.	Dixie State	158
4.	Azusa Pacific (1)	151
5.	Point Loma	119
6.	Hawai’i Pacific	118
7.	Dominican	105
8.	Chaminade	102
9.	Biola	101
10.	Fresno Pacific	76
11.	Hawai’i Hilo	59
12.	Notre Dame de Namur	57
13.	Academy of Art	35
14.	Holy Names	21
First-place votes in parenthesis

IRVINE, Calif. – Concordia will head into its first year of NCAA playoff-eligibility with a target on its back as the PacWest’s preseason favorite to repeat as conference champion.
 
The Eagles went a perfect 9-0 in non-conference play in the 2016 season before claiming their first PacWest title in their second year in the league. Concordia earned 10 of the first-place votes and has senior Rachel Flynn on the Preseason All-PacWest Team after the outside hitter recorded north of four kills per set last season.
 
California Baptist athletes took home two of the preseason special awards while being picked second in the preseason poll with three first-place votes. Senior outside hitter Lauren Hackett is the Preseason PacWest Player of the Year, while senior Sydney Kralj is the Preseason Setter of the Year.
 
Hackett ranked second in the league in 2016 in kills with 492 at a pace of 4.47 per set. The three-time All-PacWest first team honoree has 1,243 career kills, which ranks sixth in CBU history. Kralj was an AVCA All-American honorable mention last year after tallying a league-best 1,132 assists to earn recognition as the conference’s Setter of the Year. The pair helped lead the Lancers to a second-place finish last year and a trip to the NCAA West Regional.
 
Dixie State’s junior Sid Brandon is the Preseason Libero of the Year as the Trailblazers were picked to finish third for the second year in a row. Brandon averaged 4.95 digs per set in her first year as Dixie State’s primary libero. The Trailblazers won the 2015 PacWest title and have finished in the top three in the standings each of the last four years.
 
Azusa Pacific is represented on the Preseason All-PacWest Team by sophomore middle blocker Julianne Miller, who led the conference in hitting percentage as a freshman at a clip of .363 with 303 kills in 116 sets. The Cougars received one first-place vote after finishing the 2016 season on a six-match winning streak that included four sweeps.

 
After finishing the 2016 season in ninth place, Point Loma is picked fifth in the preseason poll with a young roster that features nine freshmen. Hawai’i Pacific is just a point behind the Sea Lions in the preseason poll after finishing 2016 in a tie for third place.
 
One of just three teams last year to defeat Concordia, Dominican is picked seventh in the preseason poll. The Penguins are led by Aimee Steinwand on the Preseason All-PacWest Team. The senior has recorded 984 career kills and 83 aces and was an All-PacWest third-team selection last year.
 
Chaminade had a winning record for the second year in a row in 2016 and is picked eighth in the preseason poll. The Silver Swords started their 2016 season with five consecutive wins, including a season-opening sweep of eventual national runner-up Alaska Anchorage.
 
The newest member of the PacWest, Biola is picked ninth in the poll, just a point behind Chaminade. The Eagles finished the 2016 season ranked No. 14 in the NAIA with an overall record of 26-11. Biola returns senior libero Tess Van Grouw who was an NAIA All-American honorable mention.
 
Fresno Pacific finished in a tie for eighth place last year and is picked to finish 10th this year. The Sunbirds finished 2016 on a three-match winning streak. Hawai`i Hilo is picked 11th in the preseason poll. The Volcans went 8-12 in conference play last year, including four wins on the road.
 
Notre Dame de Namur brings back reigning PacWest Player of the Year Bianca Alvarez for her senior year. The outside hitter was selected to the Preseason All-PacWest Team after averaging 5.26 kills per set, which led the nation.
 
Academy of Art is picked 13th in the preseason poll followed by Holy Names. Academy of Art went 6-14 in PacWest play last year and tied for 12th place, while Holy Names went 1-19 against PacWest teams in 2016.
 
The 2017 season opens on August 31 with three matches in northern California. The following day, Point Loma will get a chance to host defending national runner-up Alaska Anchorage and Simon Fraser, which reached the NCAA West Regional tournament last year.
 
The following weekend beginning on September 7, all 14 teams will play in the third annual D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase. Concordia and California Baptist will be in the top pod in Anchorage, Alaska to play against Western Washington, Cal State San Bernardino, Chico State and Alaska Anchorage.