WIAC: SID’s pick UW-Whitewater

WIAC sports information directors eschewed popular sentiment and chose UW-Whitewater to win the conference. UW-Platteville, mine and many other fans’ pick to win, finished fourth in the poll. The Pioneers are ranked ninth in the nation in the AVCA preseason poll. I think for good reason. I have Platteville ranked No. 6 in the country.

UW Oshkosh was picked by the SID’s to finish second, followed by UW-Eau Claire, Platteville and UW-River Falls. I agree with the top five in the nine-team WIAC, but my order would be: 1. Platteville 2. Whitewater 3. Eau Claire 4. Oshkosh 5. River Falls A case could be made for a reshuffling of teams two through five, but I was shocked to not see Platteville as the favorite.

Whitewater received three first-place votes. Oshkosh led the way with four top votes and Platteville snagged the other two.

Whitewater loses WIAC Player of the Year Caitlin Hogan. Oshkosh will be without most of its hitting options from a year ago. Eau Claire loses its setter, libero and top outside. River Falls returns most of its lineup. Granted, Platteville loses some good players, including outstanding outside Melissa Hillebrand. But I think the SID’s vastly underestimated Platteville’s returnees.

Eau Claire and Oshkosh shared the 2010 regular season title. Third-seed Platteville won the WIAC Tournament.

Platteville, Eau Claire, Oshkosh and Whitewater were 2010 NCAA Tournament participants.

Platteville swept Dominican and host Carthage before being swept in the regional final by Washington. Eau Claire swept Nebraska Wesleyan before being swept by host St. Thomas in the second round. Oshkosh was swept by host Carthage in the first round. Whitewater was swept by Wartburg in the first round at the Carthage Regional.

-Ricky Nelson