UAA volleyball team ranked No. 4 in national preseason poll

After a Tuesday volleyball practice, UAA coach Chris Green walked over to examine a white board that housed team goals and notes for the day's practice at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Every year, the Seawolves make small stat goals for each practice and bigger goals for the season, like winning the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship — something UAA has done the last two seasons.

"This morning was a struggle, but this afternoon was a little better," Green said of his team's play.

It was only the fifth day of practice, but UAA has already earned a No. 4 ranking in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll.

Green said the ranking is more of a tribute to last season — when the Seawolves went 34-3 overall and finished runner-up in the NCAA Division II tournament — than a preview of how this one will go.

Four starters return from last year's historic UAA squad, including second-team All-American outside hitter Leah Swiss, who led the team in kills (470) and was third in digs (366).

Also back are outside hitter Chrisalyn Johnson (402 kills), middle blocker Vanessa Hayes (125 blocks), right side hitter Diana Fa'amausili (363 kills) and defensive specialist Taylor Noga (297 digs). They all played in at least 130 of UAA's 132 sets last season.

But UAA also has some big holes to fill. Gone are All-American setter Morgan Hooe and middle blocker Erin Braun.

Competing for the setter spot are freshman Casey Davenport and sophomore Madison Fisher, who sacrificed her redshirt season by going in for an injured Hooe for two sets in the NCAA West Regional championships.

"They're kind of competing right now, so we'll see how it goes," Green said. "If we run a 5-1 then one of them is going to be playing and one is not. If we run a 6-2, then perhaps they're both on the court."

Among those battling for Braun's position are two freshmen — Jalisa Ingram and Vera Pluharova. Green said the middle blocker position is where UAA needs to see the most improvement in the coming weeks before the season begins.

"We just have a lot of youth in that position, (with) two freshmen coming in," Green said. "Hopefully one of them will rise to the occasion."

Swiss said the team's youth is bringing up the level of competitiveness in practice because so many players are vying for starting roles.

"It's always really exciting to get to see the new freshmen come in and make their way into the team," she said. "It's great to be around everyone.

"It's only been a week and it feels like it's already been a few months."

The Seawolves have a couple weeks to sort out their lineup before they play the UAA alumni team in an exhibition match Aug. 25 at the Alaska Airlines Center. Then, the Seawolves travel to San Diego to open the regular season against UC San Diego on Sept. 1 at the Point Loma Invitational.

The Seawolves will be back at the Alaska Airlines Center on Sept. 7 for the six-team West Region Volleyball Showcase, which will include No. 12 Western Washington, No. 15 Cal Sate San Bernardino and No. 22 Concordia-Irvine.

AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 preseason poll

Rank   School   (First-Place Votes)   2016 Record
1) Concordia-St. Paul (38) 35-2
2) Southwest Minnesota St. (4) 28-6
3) Nebraska-Kearney 35-2
4) UAA (1) 34-3
5) Winona State (3) 27-6
6) Palm Beach Atlantic (2) 32-4
7) Minnesota Duluth 25-5
8) Lewis 29-8
9) Angelo State 34-4
10) Augustana (South Dakota) 27-6
11) Wheeling Jesuit 41-3
12) Western Washington 23-8
13) Wayne State (Nebraska) 24-8
14) Ferris State 30-6
15) Cal State San Bernardino 25-5
16) Washburn 28-6
17) Tampa 23-9
18) Central Oklahoma 30-4
19) Colorado School of Mines 25-7
20) Metro State 27-5
21) Central Missouri 23-10
22) Concordia (California) 26-3
23) Rockhurst 27-7
24) Northern State 16-12
25) Tarleton State 27-7