The Tabor College volleyball team drew a No. 1 preseason Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference ranking when the volleyball preseason poll was released Wednesday.
Friends was picked to finsh second followed by Bethel, Ottawa, Kansas Wesleyan, Bethany, McPher?son, Southwestern, St. Mary and Sterling.
Bluejay coach Amy Ratzlaff led Tabor to six consecutive KCAC championships from 2001 through 2006. Tabor competed in the NAIA regional tournament in 2003, 2005, 2006.
Tabor won the 2009 KCAC regular season title and fell in the conference tournament semifinals, falling to Bethel in three sets. The Blujays finshed 2009 20-11 overall, 16-2 in conference play.
Reurning for Tabor is a core group including Halstead junior Mandi Phillips. In 2009, Phillips was named the KCAC setter of the year.
Other all conference performers returning to the Bluejays are Durham junior middle blocker Tina Frick (first team all-KCAC) and Abilene junior outside hitter and middle blocker Gina Hullet (second team all-KCAC).
Senior Minneapolis middle blocker Jordon Crosson also returns to the Bluejays. Crosson was named KCAC Champion of Character female athlete of the year.
Practices start Wednesday.
Tabor begins its season Sept. 3 against Hastings College at the Bellevue University tournament in Bellevue, Neb.
