INDIANAPOLIS — The Oakland University volleyball program was picked seventh in the 2021 Horizon League preseason coaches poll, the conference office announced Wednesday. The Golden Grizzlies tallied 61 points in the poll, which the league's 11 head coaches voted on.
Fresh off an HL regular-season title and tournament crown, Wright State (119) was selected to win the conference with a league-high nine first-place votes. UIC (98) and Northern Kentucky (97) tabbed the second and third spots in the poll while collecting one first-place vote apiece. Milwaukee (94), Purdue Fort Wayne (78), and Cleveland State (63) rounded out the top-six in front of the Golden Grizzlies. Slotted in the last four spots were Green Bay (48), Robert Morris (29), Youngstown State (25), and IUPUI (14).
The Golden Grizzlies played to a 7-9 record during the Covid-19 shortened 2021 winter season. Oakland returns all 17 student-athletes on their roster from a season ago, including two fifth-year players in All-Region First Team selection
Lindsay Wightman and three-time All-Horizon League honoree
Jamie Walling.
OU will open the regular season at the Golden Dome Invitational from Aug. 27-28 in South Bend, Ind. The Golden Grizzlies will take on two top-25 opponents in No. 16 Western Kentucky and No. 25 Notre Dame, along with Loyola Chicago.
2021 HORIZON LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Wright State – 119 (9)
2. UIC – 98 (1)
3. Northern Kentucky – 97 (1)
4. Milwaukee – 94
5. Purdue Fort Wayne – 78
6. Cleveland State – 63
7. Oakland – 61
8. Green Bay – 48
9. RMU – 29
10. Youngstown State – 25
11. IUPUI – 14
