Week 1 Preview: SpringHill Suites Invitational

SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist will get a good feel for the talent it possesses over the next few days as it takes part in the SpringHill Suites Invitational. Both the University of West Florida and Spring Hill (AL) will serve as hosts for the three-day invite. The Bison open on Sept. 1 against No. 11 (AVCA) Southwest Minnesota State and Spring Hill before playing No. 12 West Florida and Mississippi College on Sept. 2.
 
Bison Notes

• OBU was picked to finish in second in the Great American Conference Preseason Poll. Last season, the Bison went 19-11.
• The AVCA/TaraFlex Division II Poll was released this week and coach Anna Howle's team was receiving votes.
• The returning roster is headlined by four All-GAC performers from 2022: Maci Langford was the league's Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team selection. Senior classmate D'Erricka Frierson was another first-team honoree and middle blockers Avery Hellmuth and Jill Leslie garnered All-GAC Second-Team recognition.
• Last year, OBU ran a 6-2, meaning there were two setters. Those were freshmen Rylee Martin and Abrey Galt. Well, this year, there's another freshman that's expected to contribute: Emily Boyer. She was an All-State selection at Carl Albert last year.
• Two other freshmen to keep an eye on are Allie Stricker and Lauren Safrit. They have seen significant playing time in the team's seven scrimmages.
• Speaking of scrimmages, OBU looked really good last weekend in four shortened matches at Central Oklahoma. They split two sets with UCO and won both against Southern Nazarene and preseason No. 1 West Texas. 

Southwest Minnesota State Notes

• The Mustangs were picked to finish in fifth in the stacked, 15-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
• A season ago, SMSU finished with a 23-6 record under first-year coach Tyler Boddy.
• That record helped spur a No. 12 final ranking by the AVCA for the Mustangs.
• SMSU returns two All-NSIC Second Team selections to this year's team: setter Alisa Bengen and middle blocker Emma VanHeel.

Spring Hill Notes

• Named the team to beat in the West Division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
• Last year, Spring Hill won its fourth straight SIAC Championship, posted a 29-8 record and made the NCAA Tournament. One of those losses came to the Bison.
• Mikayla Boyer highlights the Badgers' top returnees. She has been named the SIAC's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year that last two seasons and was a First-Team All-Conference honoree in 2022.
• Also returning is junior middle blocker Airyonna Weaver. She was a SIAC All-Tournament Team selection in 2022 and tallied 356 points and 304 kills in 116 sets. 

West Florida Notes

• The Argonauts, for the fifth straight year, were named the preseason favorite of the Gulf South Conference. They received all 11 first-place votes.
• In 2022, UWF went 28-6, won both GSC regular season and tournament titles and made the NCAA Tournament for the 16th straight time. UWF also beat the OBU, 3-0.
• Three players were named Preseason All-GSC: Alex Oliver, Avery Rodgers and Jenna Zydlo. Rodgers was an All-GSC Second Team selection and ranked fifth in kills per set (2.79) last season.
• Junior defensive specialist Meg Brackhan also returns. Her 3.83 digs per set average last season ranked seventh in the Gulf South Conference. 

Mississippi College Notes

• Attained a program-record 23 wins last season and finished in third in the GSC.
• Also had four players named to the All-GSC Team, another program record. One of those, sophomore outside hitter Caroline Chastang, was the GSC's Freshman of the Year and a second-team selection.
• In the GSC Preseason Poll, the Choctaw were picked to finish in second, its highest since the program returned to NCAA Division II play in 2014-15.
• This matchup with the Bison will be the first-ever between the schools.