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Canine schools represented in preseason volleyball top 25

By Wesley Coburn

Washington's Christal Morrison (9) serves the ball during the NCAA Division I women's volleyball semifinal match between the Washington Huskies and the Tennessee Lady Vols, December 15, 2005, at the Alamo Dome, San Antonio, Texas. Washington defeated Tennessee in three straight sets to advance to the final. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images)
Washington's Christal Morrison (9) serves the ball during the NCAA Division I women's volleyball semifinal match between the Washington Huskies and the Tennessee Lady Vols, December 15, 2005, at the Alamo Dome, San Antonio, Texas. Washington defeated Tennessee in three straight sets to advance to the final. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images) /
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Canine schools are represented well in the preseason college volleyball top 25.

While college football kicks off this weekend, the college volleyball season starts this weekend as well, and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) have compiled their preseason college volleyball Top 25 rankings.

We’re only going to be looking at the Division I rankings, and not diving into the men’s rankings, either, as that would be too time-consuming.

Big Ten teams take up seven places within the Top 25, with six Pac-12 schools represented as well.

While the Washington Huskies of the Pac-12 Conference are the only school with a canine mascot represented in the top 25 at No. 13, the rest of the schools mentioned all have vet schools, thus being eligible as far as we’re concerned.

The Huskies were 20-13 in 2018, ending the year at No. 18, and they’re led by third-team All-American senior outside hitter Kara Bajema.

The Golden Gophers of Minnesota are No. 3, coming off a 27-4 season in 2018 where they won the Big Ten Conference. All-American junior Stephanie Samedy returns, as does second-team All-American junior middle blocker Regan Pittman.

Illinois‘ Fighting Illini are No. 6 following a 32-4 campaign last season and ending in the No. 3 spot. Senior All-American outside hitter Jacqueline Quade is back for one final season.

Florida‘s Gators are No. 10 after going 26-7 in the Southeastern Conference.

The Purdue Boilermakers are No. 17 following their 24-9 season last year, and they’re led by third-team All-American senior middle blocker Blake Mohler.

The Tennessee Volunteers are No. 19 after a 26-6 season in the SEC.

Finally, the Washington State Cougars start the year off at No. 22 after their 23-10 season last year.

The Colorado State Rams were among the teams also receiving votes.

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The 2019 NCAA volleyball season gets underway on Friday, August 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET when  the No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers face the Florida State Seminoles in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  The 2019 NCAA National Championship match will be December 21 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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