ST. LOUIS, Mo. – After one of the most successful seasons in school history, the Drake University volleyball team has been picked fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference annual preseason poll, the league announced Wednesday, Aug. 15.
 
The Bulldogs were voted fourth by the league's coaches in the always competitive Missouri Valley Conference behind projected preseason favorite UNI, Missouri State and Illinois State. Both UNI and Missouri State advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season and since 2007, the MVC has earned 30 bids to the NCAA Tournament, trailing only the Pac 12, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and West Coast Conference in total berths.
 
In addition to the Bulldogs' preseason league ranking, senior Cathryn Cheek (Coppell, Texas) was named to the league's preseason all-conference team.
 
Cheek was a first-team All-MVC selection in 2017 and is the team's top returning offensive threat after finishing eighth in the league in kills last season with 387 for a 3.28 kills per set average. She also added 3.0 digs per set.
 
The Bulldogs return all but one starter from the 2017 team that amassed a 23-10 record and made history with its first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament appearance since 2010. The team's 23 wins were the third most in program history and most since 2010. Additionally, the team's 12 conference wins were the second most by the program in an 18-game MVC schedule. The Bulldogs return 10 student-athletes from that team, including a pair of All-MVC selections for the 2018 season.
 
The team begins its 2018 season Friday, Aug. 24, at Sam Houston State for three matches. The Bulldogs' home schedule begins Sept. 7 with the Drake Invitational as the team welcomes four teams, including Iowa, to the Knapp Center for two days of matches.