ST. LOUIS, Missouri – The UNI volleyball team was unanimously voted to finish first in the MVC by the leagues head coaches as announced by the conference office on Wednesday. The annual preseason poll ranked the Redbirds of Illinois State second with 89 points and Missouri and Bradley tied for third with 68 points.
The Panthers land two athletes on the Preseason All-Conference Team in returning 2018 First Team members Rachel Koop and Karlie Taylor. Taylor averaged 4.77 kills per set with 3.20 digs per set during her junior season, while Koop led the league with an 11.