ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Greenville University received six first-place votes and are the favorites in the 2017 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll. Westminster College was picked second, receiving two first-place votes, while Webster University and Spalding University each picked up the remaining first-place selections.

Greenville picked up 77 total points as they are in search of an eighth consecutive SLIAC regular season title. The Panthers finished 25-8 overall last year, going 16-2 in SLIAC competition.

Head Coach Tom Ackerman will have to replace a trio of All-Conference players in Kirsten Laune, Sierah Ruffner, and Savannah Sells. However, they will bring back senior outside hitter Allyson Mitchell as the focus of their attack. Mitchell has topped 300 kills in all three of her seasons at Greenville including finishing second last year with 421 total kills.

Also returning are senior middle hitter Brittni Bell (126 kills with 116 total blocks) and junior outside hitter Sarah Watts (71 kills and 52 digs).

The Panthers return 11 players from last year's team and will look to newcomers Anna Finch and Abby Freeman to add to the rotation.

Please view the offical poll below -