Valparaiso University's volleyball team has been picked to finish second in the Mid-Continent Conference this season according to the preseason poll conducted of the league's head coaches.

Head coach Carin Avery's squad tallied 44 points, just four behind preseason favorite Oral Roberts. The Crusaders gained two first place votes, with the other six going to the Golden Eagles.

Valpo is coming off of its best season in school history in 2003 having won both the Mid-Con regular season and tournament championships. The Crusaders tallied a 27-8 record overall and 13-1 mark in conference play.

IUPUI was picked to finish third followed by Western Illinois and Chicago State. UMKC, Oakland, and Centenary round out the poll.