MIAA announces preseason polls in three fall sports

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has released coaches’ polls for three of the league’s fall sports – men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball. Coaches were not allowed to vote their own team in the poll.

The Comets, which advanced to the MIAA Tournament championship game each of the last two seasons, were picked to finished fourth in the preseason men’s soccer poll. Olivet received 22 points. Defending MIAA champion Calvin College was selected as the preseason favorite with 13 points and three first-place votes.

Hope College was second with 14 points and also three first-place votes. Kalamazoo College received the other two first-place votes and 21 points.

The Comets open their season next Friday, Aug. 30, when they play Madonna University at Kalamazoo. Game time is 5 p.m.

Olivet was selected to finish seventh in the preseason women’s soccer poll with 52 points. Calvin, who won both the MIAA Championship and conference tournament last season, picked-up seven of nine possible first-place votes for nine points. Alma and Saint Mary’s (Ind.) each received one first-place vote.

The Comets kick-off their season next Saturday, Aug. 31, when they host College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) at noon.

Olivet was picked eighth in the preseason volleyball poll. Calvin, who advanced all the way to the NCAA Division III national championship match last year, was selected as the favorite to win the MIAA title collected nine points, with seven first-place votes. Hope had 14 points, with the other two first-place votes.

The Comets start the season next Friday and Saturday, Aug. 30-31, at the Elmhurst (Ill.) College Bluejay Classic. Their first match is Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. against Illinois Wesleyan University.