August 21, 2003

WOLVES VOLLEYBALL PICKED FIFTH IN NSIC PRESEASON COACHES POLL

ABERDEEN, SD - The Northern State volleyball team received 36 points to finish fifth in the 2003 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference volleyball preseason coaches’ poll released by the conference office on Thursday.

Minnesota-Duluth was the favorite to capture its second straight NSIC title gathering 63 points and seven first place votes. Concordia-St. Paul followed closely behind with 58 points and two first place votes while 2001 NSIC co-champions Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State (Neb.) finished third and fourth, respectively in this year’s poll.

The Wolves, who finished second in the conference in 2002, lose six seniors, four of whom were starters, from last season’s 18-14 team that finished with a 14-4 league mark.

Bates

Northern State senior Jessica Bates was touted as a preseason player to watch in the league for the 2003 season. Bates, a 6-0 middle blocker from Byron, Wyo., posted a .254 attack percentage (14th in NSIC) while averaging 1.13 blocks (4th in NSIC) and finishing third for NSU in kills per game (2.51) in 2002.

Minnesota-Duluth’s Callie Zwettler was named as the NSIC volleyball preseason player of the year. Zwettler, who is a two-time first team all-NSIC selection, led the league in aces per game, was fifth in kills per game and ninth in hitting percentage in 2002.

Northern State opens up the 2003 season on Aug. 29 in the North Dakota State Doublewood Inn Classic in Fargo, N.D. against Nebraska-Kearney and Emporia State.

2003 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll:

1. Minnesota Duluth 63 (7)
2. Concordia-St. Paul 58 (2)
3. Southwest Minnesota State 45
4. Wayne State (Neb.) 39
5. Northern State 36
6. Minnesota State Moorhead 29
7. Bemidji State 21
8. Winona State 17
9. Minnesota, Crookston 16