Dec. 12, 2007

Columbus, Ohio - The Mercyhurst men's volleyball team was picked to finish seventh in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) preseason coaches' poll. IPFW, which advanced to the NCAA Championship match a year ago, was selected as the preseason conference favorite.

Mercyhurst went 2-23 a year ago and 0-12 in the conference but does return the majority of its team. The Lakers had just one senior on the team a year ago and head coach Ryan Patton boasts a roster without a single senior on this year's squad. The team does have seven juniors.

IPFW received four first-place votes and 44 total points, followed by Ohio State with three first-place votes and 40 total points. Lewis was third, followed by Loyola-Chicago, Ball State, Quincy and Mercyhurst.

Although the Lakers did not have any preseason all-conference selections, Mercyhurst does have talent returning. Junior Tim Wagner ranked seventh in the conference in kills in 2007 and junior David Hatten was the sixth leading assister. Junior Dave Newman was seventh in blocks and 11th in attack percentage as well.

The Mercyhurst men's volleyball team plays its first four matches of the year at home, opening against NYU Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. The Lakers will welcome defending runner-up IPFW to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. for their MIVA opener.