Burnsville, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2021 Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll with Northern State picked fourth. The Wolves earned 174 total points and one first place vote behind Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota Duluth, and St. Cloud State.
NSU opens the 2021 campaign at the Washburn Invitational on September 3 and 4. The Wolves will then return to Aberdeen to host the NSU Invite September 9-11, before kicking off their NSIC slate against Winona State on September 17. The Wolves went 25-6 overall and 17-3 in the NSIC in 2019, winning the first out-right NSIC title in program history. NSU appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season and went 1-1 versus No. 7 St. Cloud State and No. 2 Nebraska Kearney. In addition, the Wolves remained as a mainstay in the AVCA Top-25 Poll holding a spot in the top-10 through the entire season.
Northern returns ten from the 2019 roster and adds ten from 2020 and 2021.
Sally Gaul was picked as the team's player to watch for the 2021 season after an All-Conference performance in her sophomore campaign.
Peyton Ellingson earned All-Conference accolades as well in 2019 and returns to the starting rotation for the Wolves this season. Northern enters their 11th season under the direction of 3-time NSIC Coach of the Year
Brent Aldridge.
2021 Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll
| 1. |
Concordia-St. Paul (11) |
217 |
| 2. |
Minnesota Duluth |
194 |
| 3. |
St. Cloud State (3) |
192 |
| 4. |
Northern State (1) |
174 |
| 5. |
Winona State (1) |
169 |
|
Wayne State |
169 |
| 7. |
Southwest Minnesota State |
147 |
| 8. |
Augustana |
137 |
| 9. |
Minnesota State |
109 |
|
Upper Iowa |
109 |
| 11. |
Sioux Falls |
82 |
| 12. |
MSU Moorhead |
69 |
| 13. |
Bemidji State |
60 |
| 14. |
Minnesota Crookston |
40 |
| 15. |
Minot State |
32 |
| 16. |
University of Mary |
20 |
