RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – There was no surprise on Thursday afternoon as the Oklahoma Baptist volleyball team garnered the number one spot on the Great American Conference's Preseason Poll.
Head coach
Anna Howle's squad claimed 10 of the 12 first-place votes while earning its highest GAC preseason ranking in program history.
Harding, picked to finish second, received the other two first-place votes, while Arkansas Tech checked in at third place.
During the spring campaign, the Bison posted an 18-0 record, won a second straight GAC Championship and attained a No. 1 ranking by the AVCA for the first time in history. They also were the first Bison sports program since joining NCAA Division II to reach No. 1 in the nation.
There's ample reason to believe this season's Bison squad can reach great heights again.
Outside hitter
Malia Leatherland returns after finishing second in the GAC in points (4.21) and third in kills (3.61). She was also a First-Team All-GAC selection.
Kaylee Buell, the GAC's Setter of the Year, posted the top average in assists (10.36), while
Taneyah Brown finished fourth in both blocks (1.02) and points (3.61). Brown also was a Second Team All-GAC honoree.
Additionally, 6-foot-2 middle blocker and honorable-mention selection
Audrey Poupard led the league in blocks, averaging 1.38 per set, and second-team member
Diana Carranza posted the seventh-best mark in digs (5.21). Plus, the GAC's Freshman of the Year,
Avery Hellmuth, returns.
Competition for the Bison starts Sept. 3-4 in Big Rapids, Michigan, at the Ferris State Invitational. OBU's first home match comes Tuesday, Sept. 21 against East Central at 7 p.m.
2021 GAC Preseason Volleyball Poll
- Oklahoma Baptist
- Harding University
- Arkansas Tech University
- Southwestern Oklahoma State
- Northwestern Oklahoma State
- Henderson State University
- Southern Nazarene University
- University of Arkansas at Monticello
- East Central University
- Ouachita Baptist University
- Southeastern Oklahoma State
- Southern Arkansas University
Official GAC Release
