Volleyball picked ninth in preseason poll, opens season Saturday
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- With the volleyball season starting this weekend, Simpson College has been selected ninth in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Friday.
"We are looking forward to having these girls on the court and competing," said head coach Kekailoa Palea. "I can't imagine what it's like for our girls and all student-athletes to compete during a pandemic, especially while taking care of themselves and having additional responsibilities. We are so proud of our girls as they have been crushing it."
In the A-R-C poll, Dubuque is projected to finish first after winning the conference tournament in 2019, while Wartburg is tabbed runner-up after claiming the regular season crown. Coe, Nebraska Wesleyan, Loras, Buena Vista, Central and Luther fill out the remaining six spots in that order.
The Storm finished 8-19 overall and 0-8 in the conference in 2019 as the squad returns 11 letterwinners. The spring roster will showcase six seniors: Madison Fleer, Blair Glendenning, Kamryn Juni, Ariana Martinez, Emmalyn Pratt, and Allyson Rose; along with five juniors, three sophomores and 10 freshmen.
Sophomore Niya Harris returns after finishing second on the team with 176 kills in 2019 during her rookie campaign. Junior Megan LeMay (97), Juni (97) and Fleer (81) are back after approaching triple digit kill efforts for the Storm.
On the defensive side, Martinez was ninth in the A-R-C in digs with 432 in 102 sets played. LeMay and Harris finished second and third, respectively, on the squad in total blocks.
Palea enters his first season with Simpson after being named the ninth coach in program history on July 1, 2020. The Kent, Washington native joins the program after spending the last four years serving as the player development director and head coach for the 15-18 team at Iowa Powerplex in Waukee.
Spring competition begins this Saturday with a road trip to Dubuque for a 2 p.m. match. The Storm have their home opener on Tuesday against Central before travelling to Loras on Saturday, Feb. 27 to end the month.
March is filled with three home matches: Nebraska Wesleyan (March 9), Luther (March 13) and Wartburg (March 20). Two away contests fill the remaining slots in the schedule as Simpson visits Coe (March 3) and Buena Vista (March 17) to complete its campaign.
Over the last four matches against the Spartans, both teams have won two contests. The Storm snapped a five-match losing streak to Dubuque on Sept. 30, 2016. Simpson lost in straight sets to the Spartans last season.
"Dubuque will be a very tough opponent," said Palea. "The Spartans return a good majority of their key players and that will test our defense and discipline. Our girls are ready for the challenge and I'm excited for it."
2020-21 American Rivers Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Dubuque (22-11, 5-3 A-R-C)
2. Wartburg (24-8, 8-0 A-R-C)
3. Coe (15-18, 5-3 A-R-C)
4. Nebraska Wesleyan (20-8, 5-3 A-R-C)
5. Loras (19-9, 6-2 A-R-C)
6. Buena Vista (11-18, 3-5 A-R-C)
7. Central (17-13, 2-6 A-R-C)
8. Luther (7-22, 2-6 A-R-C)
9. Simpson (8-19, 0-8 A-R-C)