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CCIW Releases Preseason Polls
ELMHURST, Ill. - August 5, 2009 - The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) has released its preseason coaches' polls for volleyball and men's and women's soccer. Elmhurst ranks third in the men's soccer poll while ranking fifth in both women's soccer and volleyball.
Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Coaches may not vote for their own team.
Men's Soccer
After finishing the 2008 season with a 12-6-1 overall record, but a 2-4-1 mark in league play, Elmhurst was picked to finish third in the preseason poll with 36 points.
Wheaton College was picked to defend its 2008 conference championship, earning a unanimous 49 points and seven first-place votes. Carthage College, who finished 5-1-1 in league play last season, narrowly edged Elmhurst for second place with 37 points. North Park University finished just two points behind Elmhurst to secure fourth place in the poll.
Illinois Wesleyan (28 points) finished fifth in the poll while Millikin University, North Central College, and Augustana College rounded out the poll with 17, 13, and 10 points, respectively.
Women's Soccer
Elmhurst was tabbed to finish fifth in the preseason poll with 27 points after posting an 8-7-1 overall (3-4 CCIW) record in 2008.
Wheaton College was picked to regain the conference crown, earning a unanimous 49 points for first place. The Thunder, the national runner-up in 2008, earned the maximum seven first-place votes. Illinois Wesleyan University, who won the conference title in 2008, was picked to finish second with 40 points. Augustana College finished just one point behind Illinois Wesleyan to secure third place in the poll. Carthage College totaled 27 points to place fourth.
North Park University, Millikin University and North Central College rounded out the poll with 16, 14, and nine points, respectively.
Volleyball
After advancing to the CCIW Tournament for the first time in three seasons, Elmhurst has been picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll. The Bluejays (22-14 overall, 3-4 CCIW in 2008) totaled 28 points to place fifth.
Carthage College, who has won at least a share of the CCIW title for the past five seasons, has been picked to win its sixth straight. The Lady Reds finished with 48 points and six first-place votes, one point shy of a unanimous choice. Illinois Wesleyan University finished second with 40 points and one first-place vote, while Augustana College totaled 37 points and the final first-place vote to place third. North Central College secured fourth place with 31 points.
Millikin University, Wheaton College, and North Park University rounded out the poll with 19, 14, and seven points, respectively.
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