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Post by kiyoat on Aug 25, 2021 11:52:21 GMT -5
If this thread already exists, feel free to move/delete it. I just thought I'd start it since the Preseason Coaches Poll finally came out (two days before matches start). I don't know how much great inside information or analysis I will be able to provide, but at least there is now a place for collecting links and discussion. Speaking of links.... Summit League Preseason Poll
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 25, 2021 11:55:23 GMT -5
TLDR: 2021 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank School --------------Points (1st) 2020 Record (SL)
1. ---South Dakota ------78 (6) ------16-7 (13-3)
2. ---Denver -------------76 (4) ------14-3 (13-2)
3. ---Omaha -------------62 ----------13-6 (12-4)
4. ---Kansas City --------60 ----------13-4 (13-3)
5. ---North Dakota State 49 ----------10-8 (8-8)
6. ---Oral Roberts --------36 ----------3-15 (3-13)
7. ---South Dakota State 35 ----------6-11 (6-10)
8. ---North Dakota -------23 ----------2-16 (2-14)
9. ---St. Thomas ---------18 -----------3-2 (0-0)
10. --Western Illinois ----13 ----------2-15 (2-14)
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Post by AmeriCanvbdad on Aug 25, 2021 12:03:06 GMT -5
Seems about right.
NDSU might be able to climb into that number 4 spot, but I don't know anything about Kanas City.
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 25, 2021 12:12:16 GMT -5
Last season there was significant separation between the top 4 teams and the rest of the conference. (USD, Denver, KC and Omaha) Non-conference schedules this Fall reflect that as well, with the top 4 teams having the most challenging schedules, led by South Dakota and Omaha. Omaha has scheduled 7 Power conference schools including Nebraska Creighton and Iowa State, and South Dakota's schedule is headlined by Louisville, Creighton and Missouri, with many top-tier mid-major schools from the Midwest and front range.
Kansas City re-joined the Summit last season, and is already a contender. Denver has a long streak of championships, recently being challenged by improving Omaha and South Dakota programs.
North Dakota State and Oral Roberts were former multiple-year conference champs, but have taken a step back in recent years. North Dakota has also had a proud tradition of volleyball excellence in Division II and the Big Sky, but has stumbled recently.
SDSU had their best season in almost a decade last year. Can they build on that to crawl out of the basement? And St. Thomas is an interesting pick for 9th, given that they were a D-III team only a month ago.
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Post by VolleyballMag on Aug 25, 2021 12:24:03 GMT -5
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 26, 2021 16:46:20 GMT -5
Season previews for selected teams: "... South Dakota Volleyball Looks to Keep Ascending" (LINK)"[Denver] PIOS LOOK TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP WITH LOADED ROSTER" (LINK)"[Omaha] Volleyball Tabbed third in Preseason Poll" (LINK)
"[Kansas City] BRECKA, SCHOMERS NAB 'PLAYER TO WATCH' HONORS" (LINK)"[NDSU] Bison Volleyball Tabbed Fifth...." (LINK)
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Post by raptor patrol on Aug 26, 2021 18:32:21 GMT -5
I know WIU has been bad for...ever, but it must sting a bit more to be ranked behind the former DIII school, regardless of how good they were in their former division.
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 27, 2021 11:16:39 GMT -5
I know WIU has been bad for...ever, but it must sting a bit more to be ranked behind the former DIII school, regardless of how good they were in their former division. Yeah, I'd say that probably puts another chip on their shoulder. Maybe some extra motivation?
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 30, 2021 9:17:26 GMT -5
The Summit had a good first week!
Denver W @ USC 3-2 W vs Campbell 3-0
Kansas City L vs Creighton 0-3 W @ Missouri 3-1 W vs St. Louis 3-2
Omaha L @ Iowa State 0-3 W vs Drake 3-0
South Dakota (did not play due to Covid case)
Denver now plays the rest of their non-conference season at home, and should be favored in all of those matches. If they sweep their non-conference and only have a couple of losses in conference play, they should have a very high RPI. Possibly in at-large territory IMO.
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Post by ndodge on Aug 30, 2021 9:44:43 GMT -5
Saint Thomas had their first set win anyway (vs. Green Bay).
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Post by FreeBall on Aug 30, 2021 14:44:34 GMT -5
The Summit League had a decent start to the non-conference season with a 13-10 (.565) record this past weekend. It probably needs to be higher than that for the full season to give conference teams an RPI boost and make it more than a one-bid conference, but it's still a good starting point.
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Post by clob on Sept 3, 2021 18:04:20 GMT -5
Think I'll definitely be checking out the Summit League this fall.
Omaha takes Nebraska to five sets and two hours later takes Arizona St to five?
That's pretty impressive.
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Post by BumpSetKill on Sept 3, 2021 18:26:45 GMT -5
Summit League is definitely a league to watch for high level play -- at least 3 teams from it (Denver, South Dakota, Omaha). I don't know about the rest too much.
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Post by oldmanred on Sept 4, 2021 17:49:52 GMT -5
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Post by hochee on Sept 4, 2021 17:51:53 GMT -5
Mavs beat Georgia in 4!!
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