Burnsville, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced the NSIC volleyball preseason poll earlier this afternoon. Minnesota Crookston was tabbed 14^th out of the now 15-team league for the upcoming season.
 
At the top, it was the traditional schools in the top five. Concordia-St. Paul was picked first once again, finishing with eight first place votes, while Wayne State was picked to finish second with seven first place votes. Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State and Southwest Minnesota State round out the top five.
 
Wayne State's Taya Beller was named the Preseason Player of the Year. The junior from Lindsey, Neb., led the Wildcats last year to being one of the top teams in the nation a season ago.
 
Minnesota Crookston will look to improve upon their 5-23 record a season ago. The Golden Eagles return six players, including Audrey Cariveau (So., OH, Kevil, Kent.), Bailey Schaefer (Jr., DS, Brandon, Minn.), Mara Weisensel (Sr., MH, New Ulm, Minn.) and Layne Whaley (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Neb.). Second year head coach Nick Meseck is also excited about his newcomers, which includes seven freshmen and one junior college transfer.
 
Cariveau was named as the player to watch for the Golden Eagles. The sophomore led the Golden Eagles a season ago in almost every offensive category and had a school record 29 kills in a five-set loss at home against the University of Mary. The Kevil, Kent., native will look to ascend this season.
 
The Golden Eagles will open up their season with an exhibition at North Dakota on August 19, before opening up their season on August 31 in Marquette, Mich., for the second straight season.