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DMACC Ranked Fifth in Preseason Volleyball Poll
The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Volleyball Team is ranked fifth nationally in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Preseason Volleyball Poll.
DMACC coach Patty Harrison said the rankings are based on 2009 NJCAA Division II National Championships. The Bears return six sophomores from the 2009 team that finished fifth in the tournament.
"When a team goes 3-1 at the national tournament and plays some of the top teams in the country (the ranking) is not unusual," said Harrison. "It's very well deserved from the group of girls I had last year. It's big shoes to fill with these incoming freshmen and our returning sophomores. We're ready for the task of earning (the ranking)."
Cowley County Community College, which defeated Illinois Central College in the 2009 championship match, leads the poll and Illinois Central College is ranked second. Parkland College is third and is followed by Johnson County Community College and DMACC. The Bears defeated Johnson County in the fifth place match at the 2009 national championships.
Rounding out the top 10 are North Platte Community College, Scottsdale Community College, Central Community College-Columbus, Hagerstown Community College and Grand Rapids Community College.
DMACC will face a number of top 10 teams during its regular season, including Johnson County, Parkland and Kishwaukee College, the nation's 12th-ranked team.
"That's why we arrange (the schedule) that way," Harrison said. "I want my girls to play at that level every time they can. To see those teams on a continuous level, we get better."
Iowa Lakes Community College is the only other Iowa Community College Athletic Conference team ranked in the top 20. The Lakers are ranked 15th.
The Bears open the 2010 season at the Johnson County tournament August 27-28 in Overland Park, Kansas.