LINK TO NSIC PRESEASON POLL
MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State volleyball team will look to surprise its conference foes as the Beavers were picked as an underdog by the league's coaches in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll released today.
Garnering 16 points in the preseason voting, the Beavers were picked to finish 16
th this fall by the NSIC's coaches.
Defending NSIC champion St. Cloud State was picked to repeat as league champs with 212 points and 8 first-place votes. Concordia, St. Paul and Southwest Minnesota State were close second- and third-place picks as both picked up 4 first-place votes, with the Golden Bears earning 208 points and the Mustangs 202 points.
The preseason poll doesn't reflect the potential Minot State's second-year head coach
Alex Courtney sees in her program.
"We are bringing in a lot of new, young talent to our program this year, with the potential to build a stronger program than Minot State has seen in quite a few years," she said. "I am very excited for this season and to watch this group develop together."
The Beaver volleyball team hits the court at the MSU Dome on Saturday, August 28, for its intersquad Red-White scrimmage, then opens the season in earnest in Alaska at the Seawolf Invitational hosted by Alaska Anchorage, playing Cal State San Marcos and Biola on Friday, September 5, then Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, September 6.
Minot State makes its regular-season home debut hosting the 2
nd annual Live 1
st International Bank Homecoming Classic, Thursday and Friday, September 11-12. The Beavers play Montana State Billings at 11 a.m. and Manitoba at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, then Minot State takes on Black Hills State at 10 a.m. and Brandon at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 12.
The NSIC also announced its Preseason Player of the Year and Players to Watch for each team and Minot State's
Emily Willis was honored as the Beavers' Player to Watch for the 2025 season.
Willis is a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Union, Illinois, who earned All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference 2nd Team honors in the fall of 2024 at McHenry County College. She transfers to Minot State after two stellar seasons with the Scots where she recorded 414 career kills, 391 digs, 36 blocks, 30 assists, and 40 service aces.
"As a team captain, she's bringing in not only her athletic skill, but maturity and experience leading a team," Coach Courtney said. "She doesn't back down from a challenge, so competing in the NSIC is the perfect fit and next step to continuing to elevate her game."
St. Cloud State senior middle blocker Ella Thompson, a 2
nd Team All-American in 2024, was named the NSIC's 2025 Preseason Player of the Year.
While the Huskies, Golden Bears, and Mustangs topped the preseason poll, Wayne State was picked fourth with 188 points, Northern State was picked fifth with 170 points, Sioux Falls was picked sixth with 133 points, Winona State was picked seventh with 132 points, Minnesota Duluth was picked eighth with 130 points, Minnesota State, Mankato was picked ninth with 123 points, Augustana was picked 10
th with 110 points, NSIC-newcomer Jamestown was picked 11
th with 84 points, Minnesota State Moorhead was picked 12
th with 77 points, Bemidji State was picked 13
th with 53 points, Mary was picked 14
th with 42 points, Minnesota Crookston was picked 15
th with 40 points, and Minot State was picked 16
th with 16 points.
NSIC 2025 Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll
Rank Team Points
First-place votes in parentheses
1 St. Cloud State (8) 212
2 Concordia, St. Paul (4) 208
3 SW Minnesota State (4) 202
4 Wayne State 188
5 Northern State 170
6 Sioux Falls 133
7 Winona State 132
8 Minnesota Duluth 130
9 MSU, Mankato 123
10 Augustana 110
11 Jamestown 84
12 MSU Moorhead 77
13 Bemidji State 53
14 Mary 42
15 Minnesota Crookston 40
16 Minot State 16
