WACO, Texas -- Five-time defending Heartland champion UAFS has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to take home a sixth-straight regular-season title in 2017 by conference coaches and sports information directors.
After winning five regular-season titles in a row and four tournament championships in that time span the Lady Lions were a near unanimous pick to claim the conference crown again in 2017. UAFS will have to replace all seven starters from last season’s championship team including the Heartland Player of the Year Emily Tripp. The Lady Lions received 13 of 14 first-place votes in the preseason poll for a total of 95 points. Lubbock Christian was picked to finish second receiving 73 total points followed closely by St. Edward’s who is projected to finish third with 66 points.
Lubbock Christian will have the benefit of three returning All-Heartland performers from a season ago headlined by senior Mallory Powell, the reigning Setter of the Year in the conference. St. Edward’s will have an impressive returning group of their own including last season’s conference Defensive Player of the Year Morgan Beckham and All-Heartland Preseason selection Mikayla Parker.
Newman checks in fourth in the preseason poll with 59 points and seeks to earn a fourth tournament appearance in a row. The Jets received one first-place vote and will be led by returning seniors Emily Harvey and Anna Burton as third-year head coach Destiny Clark seeks to lead her veteran squad to its first conference title. DBU was picked fifth with 50 points as the Lady Patriots hope to return to the conference tournament after missing out on the postseason in 2016.
St. Mary’s (34) and Texas A&M International (15) round out the volleyball preseason poll.
Lubbock Christian led the way with three selections on the 2017 All-Heartland Preseason Team. St. Mary’s was next with two selections, while three other schools landed one selection each. For LCU, Mallory Powell, Kelsie French and Emily Hanaway were named to the team after all three earned All-Heartland honors last season. Tarine Grace and Channing Hankins represent St. Mary’s on the preseason team. Emily Harvey (Newman), Sidnee Jo Fitzpatrick (DBU) and Mikayla Parker (St. Edward’s) were also selected to the team.
| 2017 VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL |
| School |
Total Points |
| 1. |
UAFS (13) |
95 |
|
| 2. |
Lubbock Christian |
73 |
|
| 3. |
St. Edward's |
66 |
|
| 4. |
Newman (1) |
59 |
|
| 5. |
DBU |
50 |
|
| 6. |
St. Mary's |
34 |
|
| 7. |
Texas A&M International |
15 |
|
The Preseason Poll is voted on by conference coaches and conference sports information directors. Coaches and SIDs are allowed to vote for their own team in the preseason poll.
| 2017 All-Heartland Volleyball Preseason Team |
| Position |
Player |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
| Outside Hitter |
Emily Harvey** |
Newman |
Senior |
Arlington, Texas |
| Outside Hitter |
Emily Hanaway* |
Lubbock Christian |
Junior |
Leander, Texas |
| Middle Blocker |
Sidnee Jo Fitzpatrick* |
DBU |
Senior |
Friendswood, Texas |
| Outside Hitter |
Tarine Grace |
St. Mary's |
Senior |
San Antonio, Texas |
| Middle Blocker |
Mikayla Parker |
St. Edward's |
Junior |
Oceanside, Calif. |
| Outside Hitter |
Channing Hankins |
St. Mary's |
Junior |
Katy, Texas |
| Setter |
Mallory Powell**^ |
Lubbock Christian |
Senior |
Aledo, Texas |
| Libero |
Kelsie French** |
Lubbock Christian |
Junior |
Lubbock, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
*Previous All-Heartland Selection
^ 2016 Heartland Setter of the Year |
|
|
The Preseason All-Heartland Volleyball Team was voted on by head coaches and sports information directors from within the conference. Coaches and SIDs may not vote for their own players, and ties are not broken.