Titans Chosen To Finish Fourth In WIAC Volleyball Standings

UW-Oshkosh is the choice to finish fourth in the hunt for the 2014 WIAC women's volleyball championship, according to a preseason poll of the league's nine head coaches and sports information directors.

Three-time defending champion UW-Stevens Point was picked to win this year's WIAC title, while UW-Whitewater was voted to finish second and UW-Eau Claire third.

Rounding out the WIAC predictions were fifth-ranked UW-La Crosse, sixth-ranked UW-Platteville, seventh-ranked UW-River Falls, eighth-ranked UW-Stout and ninth-ranked UW-Superior.

Under the guidance of 11th-year head coach Brian Schaefer (273-91 record), UW-Oshkosh returns 14 letter winners from last year's team that compiled a 22-11 record and finished fifth in the WIAC with a 4-4 mark. The Titans have won at least 32 matches five times in the last 10 years and haven't had a losing season since 1998.

UW-Oshkosh has four starters back, including outside hitter Katelyn Malcheski who received All-WIAC first-team honors in 2013. Malcheski ranked fourth in the league with a .276 hitting percentage.

The Titans also return starting libero Mandy Trautmann. In 2013, she was named to the WIAC's All-Defensive Team after totaling a league-best 649 digs.

UW-Stevens Point begins the 2014 season ranked third in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The Pointers welcome back six starters from last year's squad that compiled a 35-5 record (7-1 WIAC) and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Championship.

Alexis Hartman, the reigning WIAC Player of the Year, leads the UW-Stevens Point returnees after topping the NCAA Division III with 1,512 assists a season ago. Emma Brunkhorst led the WIAC with a .364 hitting percentage and 496 kills, while ranking second with 151 total blocks.

UW-Whitewater enters the 2014 campaign ranked 18th in the country. The Warhawks return all seven starters from last year's team that marked a 27-12 record (5-3 WIAC) and participated in NCAA Division III postseason action for the 22nd straight season. UW-Whitewater's Kim Frei placed fourth in the NCAA Division III with 1,411 assists a season ago.

UW-Eau Claire, who plays its first 13 matches on the road, returns five starters from last year's group that posted a 21-15 record (6-2 WIAC). Alexis Wong, who finished third in the WIAC last season with 0.36 service aces per set, is the Blugolds' top returnee.

UW-Oshkosh opens its season with matches against Willamette University (Ore.) and Lewis & Clark College (Ore.) on Aug. 29 in Seguin, Texas. The Titans open WIAC play at home against UW-Stevens Point on Sept. 24.