The Big Ten coaches’ preseason poll and preseason all-conference team were announced on Monday.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Big Ten coaches’ preseason poll and preseason All-Big Ten Team were announced on Monday. The Buckeyes were selected sixth while sophomore opposite hitter Emily Londot was a unanimous selection for the preseason all-conference team.
Ohio State is coming off a trip to the NCAA Regional Semifinals and a 16-4 overall record in the spring. The Buckeyes went 15-3 in conference play after beginning the season 12-0 – the best start in Big Ten play since the 1991 season. The 12-match win streak was also the longest win streak since 2013 and the best start under a first-year head coach in program history, helping Jen Flynn Oldenburg take home Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
Wisconsin was selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference this season after being ranked No. 2 in the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll last week. Last season, the Badgers reached the NCAA Semifinals after going undefeated (15-0) in Big Ten play during the regular season. Nebraska was selected to finish second after being ranked No. 5 in the AVCA Preseason Poll. Last season, the Huskers made it to the NCAA Regional Finals after putting together a 14-2 record against Big Ten opponents.
Big Ten Coaches’ Preseason Poll
- Wisconsin
- Nebraska
- Penn State
- Minnesota
- Purdue
- Ohio State
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Northwestern
- Michigan State
- Rutgers
- Iowa
- Indiana/Maryland (tie)
Londot was unanimously selected as one of 14 members of the Big Ten Preseason All-Conference Team after making her mark during her freshman season last spring. The AVCA National Freshman of the Year also earned her spot on the AVCA All-American Second Team, AVCA Northeast All-Region Team and was the AVCA Northeast Region Freshman of the Year. Londot was a unanimous selection for the All-Big Ten First Team and was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten All-Freshman Team. She led the Buckeyes with 330 kills, averaging more than four kills per set on the season.
2021 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Taylor Landfair, So., OH, Minnesota
STEPHANIE SAMEDY, Sr., OPP, Minnesota
Nicklin Hames, Sr., S, Nebraska
Lexi Sun, Sr., OH, Nebraska
Temi Thomas-Ailara, Jr., OH, Northwestern
EMILY LONDOT, So., OPP, Ohio State
Kaitlyn Hord, Sr., MB, Penn State
Jonni Parker, Sr., RS/S, Penn State
Erika Pritchard, Grad., OH, Penn State
Hayley Bush, Sr., S, Purdue
GRACE CLEVELAND, Sr., OH, Purdue
SYDNEY HILLEY, Grad., S, Wisconsin
DANA RETTKE, Grad., MB, Wisconsin
Devyn Robinson, So., MB/RS, Wisconsin
Unanimous selections listed in ALL CAPS
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