NAC: Dominican solid favorite in coaches’ poll

A year after winning the NAC Tournament and earning an NCAA bid for the first time, the Stars are the coaches’ pick in 2011. Dominican received seven of the 13 first-place votes. Last season’s regular season champion, Concordia Wisconsin (four first-place votes), and Edgewood (two) tied for second in the poll, followed by Benedictine and Wisconsin Lutheran in a tie for fourth.

If you didn’t read it, Edgewood is my pick to win.

Dominican steamrolled through the 2010 NAC Tournament with three sweeps, but the Stars faced UW-Platteville at the Carthage Regional and fell in three sets. Dominican and Edgewood tied for second place during the 2010 regular season.

The favored Stars return First-Team all-NAC setter Jessica Guerrieri; the NAC Freshman of the Year, outside Claire Dezelski; and outside Jacy Lawrence, who missed about one-third of last season due to injury.

Edgewood lost one senior from its second-place team and First-Team outside Mallory Palmer highlights the potential returnees. Concordia Wisconsin will rely on a several new leaders after losing five all-NAC players from 2010.

I think it will come down to Dominican and Edgewood for the title. I concede that Dominican is a safer choice, but I’m impressed how much this Edgewood program has improved over the years. My hunch is that the Eagles put it all together this season, but it remains to be seen how they do with loftier expectations.

-Ricky Nelson