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The defending MIVA champions Ball State is the favorite to repeat – but by a narrow margin.
Ball State edged out Loyola and Ohio State by less than five points to finish atop the MIVA Preseason Coaches Poll that was recently released.
The Cardinals ended a 20-year championship drought in 2022 as they won the MIVA title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals. Among the starters returning from that championship team under National Coach of the Year Donan Cruz includes All-American outside attacker Kaleb Jenness who was named the MIVA Preseason Player of the Year.
Ball State, Loyola and Ohio State all received multiple first-place votes in the preseason poll. The Cardinals garnered 56 points – two more points than the Ramblers and three more points than the Buckeyes.
Lewis rounded out the top half of the poll in fourth place with 44 points.
The MIVA season will begin in February and conclude the eight-tema conference tournament in April. The winner of the MIVA Tournament will receive the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
2023 MIVA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Ball State – 56 (3) points
2. Loyola — 54 (2) points
3. Ohio State — 53 (3) points
4. Lewis — 44 points
T-5. McKendree — 26 points
T-5. Purdue Fort Wayne — 26 points
7. Lindenwood — 21 points
8. Quincy — 8 points
2023 MIVA Preseason Player of the Year
Kaleb Jenness, Ball State
2023 Preseason All-MIVA Team
Felix Egharevba, Ball State
Kaleb Jenness, Ball State
Kevin Kauling, Lewis
Max Roquet, Lewis
AJ Lewis, Lindenwood
Cole Schlothauer, Loyola
Parker Van Buren, Loyola
Francisco Comas, McKendree
Samuel Clark, Ohio State
Jacob Pasteur, Ohio State
Jon Diedrich, Purdue Fort Wayne
Bryce Walker, Purdue Fort Wayne