Mid-American Conference

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced Tuesday, the leagues 12 volleyball head coaches have selected the Miami RedHawks to claim the regular season title, as well as win the 2017 MAC Volleyball Championship crown.
 
The RedHawks posted a 24-7 overall record last season (15-1 MAC), clinching a share of the regular season title and earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Miami brings back 13 letterwinners from that team for the 2017 campaign.
 
Miami collected ten votes to win the MAC regular season, while Ball State and Western Michigan each received one.
 
In the MAC Tournament predictions, the RedHawks gathered eight nods to claim the 2017 title. Ball State, Kent State, Ohio and Western Michigan each collected one vote to complete poll.
 
Within the divisions, Miami picked up 11 of 12 votes to claim the MAC East title. Ohio was tabbed to finish second, receiving one first place vote. Kent State, Buffalo, Bowling Green and Akron respectively complete the division.
 
Ball State grabbed four first-place votes, putting them atop the West Division. Following the Cardinals are Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, respectively, having each received three first-place votes. Toledo is in the fourth spot with two first-place votes, while Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan complete the division.
 
The head coaches also named a 12-member Preseason All-MAC Team with six members from each division.
 
A tie in voting for the East Division puts the roster at seven. Cassie Shado (Buffalo), Kelsey Bittinger (Kent State), Challen Geraghty (Kent State), Maeve McDonald (Miami), Katie Tomasic (Miami), Jaime Kosiorek (Ohio), and Ali Lake (Ohio) complete the Preseason East All-MAC Team,
 
The Preseason West All-MAC Team includes Brooklyn Goodsel (Ball State), Jordan Bueter (Central Michigan), Meg Wolowicz (Northern Illinois), Maurissa Leonard (Toledo), Rachel Vidourek (Toledo), and Sydney LeMay (Western Michigan).
 
The 2017 season opens Friday, August 25th with all 12 programs hitting the court in nonconference tournaments. MAC play begins Thursday, September 21st with three matches on ESPN3. Throughout the season a total of 91 matches will be broadcast on ESPN3. The complete 2017 MAC Volleyball schedule can be viewed here.
 
(first place votes) – points
 
EAST Division
1. Miami (11) - 71
2. Ohio (1) - 58
3. Kent State - 49
4. Buffalo - 31
5. Bowling Green - 29
6. Akron - 14
 
WEST Division
1. Ball State (4) - 61
2. Northern Illinois (3) - 57
3. Western Michigan (3) - 50
4. Toledo (2) - 46
5. Central Michigan - 26
6. Eastern Michigan - 12       
 
Regular Season Champions: Miami (10), Ball State (1), Western Michigan (1)
 
Tournament Champions: Miami (8), Ball State (1), Kent State (1), Ohio (1), Western Michigan (1)        
 
Preseason East All-MAC Team
Cassie Shado, Buffalo
Kelsey Bittinger, Kent State
Challen Geraghty, Kent State
Maeve McDonald, Miami
Katie Tomasic, Miami
Jaime Kosiorek, Ohio
Ali Lake, Ohio
 
Preseason West All-MAC Team
Brooklyn Goodsel, Ball State
Jordan Bueter, Central Michigan
Meg Wolowicz, Northern Illinois
Maurissa Leonard, Toledo
Rachel Vidourek, Toledo
Sydney LeMay, Western Michigan