ST. PAUL, Minn.---The 2020 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) season was anything but expected having taken place in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference should see a return to somewhat normal in fall 2021 and the No. 20 nationally-ranked University of Northwestern anticipated to top the UMAC once again.
The Eagles earned a unanimous seven first-place votes in the UMAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll for a total of 49 points and the top spot in the predictions for a conference championship, it was announced Wednesday.
In the shortened spring season, Northwestern cruised to an undefeated 8-0 season and will now look for an 11th-straight regular season conference championship with the return of several big players. The 2019 UMAC Player of the Year and All-American setter Sydney Schwitters will anchor the Eagles offense that will feature All-UMAC First Team hitter Kendra Hardy who led the Eagles last season with 3.14 kills per set (k/s). Back-to-back All-UMAC First Team libero Marylyn Schroyer will lead the Eagles’ back line after ranking 11th nationally in the spring with 6.19 digs per set (d/s).
The University of Minnesota Morris will once again look to challenge the Eagles for the title after being selected as a unanimous runner-up in the poll with 43 points and one first-place nod. The University of Wisconsin-Superior was third with 37 points and could also pressure the top teams for their first UMAC championship.
The Cougars welcome back 2020-21 Rookie of the Year setter McKenzie Newton who will help lead the offense after averaging 9.03 assists per set (a/s) in the shortened spring. Second Team pick Maggie Jones will lead in the middle, while senior libero Alyssa Ukestad will balance the defense averaging 4.38 d/s in 2020-21.
Finishing third in the spring, the Yellowjackets look to pick right back up returning 10 players from that squad including All-UMAC Second Team setter Megan Holz who will help set up Second Team outside Alexie Pryd who averaged 3.57 k/s and had six double-doubles.
With just eight teams in the mix this season, only four will qualify for the conference tournament and that final spot will be up for grabs among several teams including Bethany Lutheran College picked fourth with 28 points and Northland College selected fifth with 26 points.
The Vikings were sixth last season and return four of their top five hitters from a year ago including outside hitter Alex Morsching who tallied 3.29 k/s and middle blocker Karlee Thiesse. Northland had its best season this spring since 2012 and will look to fight for that final postseason position led by returning outsides Larissa Fossum and Bailey Wynn who each averaged over 2.00 k/s.
The poll rounds out with North Central University sixth (18 points), Martin Luther College seventh (15 points) and Crown College eighth (8 points). The Rams won the consolation bracket tournament in the spring and hope to build on that momentum returning hitter Bria Reiser and libero Hallie Fuglestad. The Knights will lean on veteran Honorable Mention picks Kelsey Birschbach and Kate Aswege for an improved fall, while the Storm bring in 10 new players as they continue to build.
The regular non-conference season is set to begin for most UMAC teams Wednesday, Sept. 1 with conference play beginning for most teams Sept. 21. The new four-team conference postseason tournament will take place Wednesday, Nov. 3 (semifinals) and Saturday, Nov. 6 (championship) with the winner earning the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship.
2021 UMAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Pl. | School | Pts. |
| 1. | Northwestern | 49 (7) |
| 2. | Minnesota Morris | 43 (1) |
| 3. | Wisconsin-Superior | 37 |
| 4. | Bethany Lutheran | 28 |
| 5. | Northland | 26 |
| 6. | North Central | 18 |
| 7. | Martin Luther | 15 |
| 8. | Crown | 8 |