GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Coming off a 22-7 season and trips to the semifinals of both the NCAA Division II South Central Regional and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournaments, the Colorado Mesa University Maverick volleyball team was picked third in the RMAC's 2023 Preseason Poll, it was announced on Tuesday.
The Mavericks, who finished in a tie for third in last year's conference standings with a 15-3 conference record, received one first place vote and picked up 169 total points in the polling of the conference's 15 head coaches, who ranked their opposition 1-14 without voting for their own squad.
Defending RMAC Champion MSU Denver received 13 first place votes and topped the poll with 195 points while Regis took second in the poll after finishing second in last year's conference standings as well. The Rangers had one first place vote and 181 total points.
NCAA Tournament qualifiers Colorado School of Mines and CSU Pueblo were picked fourth and fifth in the poll with 158 and 147 points, respectively. Colorado Christian (127), UCCS (114) and South Dakota Mines (100) rounded out the top eight.
The Mavericks return three AVCA Honorable Mention All-Americans to their roster from last year in
Sierra Hunt,
Savannah Spitzer and
Sabrina VanDeList. Two-time All-RMAC outside hitter
Sydney Leffler also returns to the squad, which features seven newcomers, including three transfers from other NCAA Division II institutions.
The Mavericks will begin their season on Sept. 1-2 at Mines' Oredigger Classic Presented by Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott. They then return home to host an early-season tournament for the first time in 11 years, playing four opponents from Sept. 7-9 in the DoubleTree by Hilton Maverick Fall Classic.
The Mavs open conference play with three road matches, starting Sept. 15 at Western Colorado in Gunnison.
2023 RMAC Preseason Volleyball Poll
| 1. MSU Denver (13) |
195 |
| 2. Regis (1) |
181 |
| 3. Colorado Mesa (1) |
169 |
| 4. Colorado School of Mines |
158 |
| 5. CSU Pueblo |
147 |
| 6. Colorado Christian |
127 |
| 7. UCCS |
114 |
| 8. South Dakota Mines |
100 |
| 9. Fort Lewis |
93 |
| 10. Adams State |
65 |
| 11. Chadron State |
63 |
| 12. Westminster |
45 |
| 13. New Mexico Highlands |
42 |
| 14. Black Hills State |
39 |
| 15. Western Colorado |
37 |
