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In a poll released on Tuesday, the Crusader volleyball team received two first-place votes and was picked to finish second behind Milwaukee. The Panthers received the other seven first-place votes.

On paper, it looks like the Crusaders lose a lot from last season with the graduations of Brittany Malicoat, Allison Sears and Jill Meyer. That being said, when you throw in talented freshmen Mary Dent and Taylor Root, along with the maturation of sophomores Katie Britton and Jenny Pokorny, coach Carin Avery should have a pretty solid team this season.

Stay tuned next week when I have a further breakdown of the Valparaiso volleyball team. -- Paul Oren