NAPERVILLE – In the most narrow vote atop the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll in league history, reigning CCIW champion North Central is the pick to retain its title in 2024.

2024 CCIW Men's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Team (First-place votes)	Points
1. North Central (4)	23
2. Carthage (2)	22
3. Loras	18
4. North Park	12
5. Illinois Wesleyan	9
6. Augustana	6

The Cardinals secured four first-place votes for 23 points, one point ahead of Carthage, which earned 22 points in the poll and the remaining two first-place votes. The vote was conducted by league head coaches late last week.
 
Last spring, NCC swept the CCIW regular-season and tournament crowns for the first time en route to advancing to the NCAA Tournament championship match. The Cardinals went 25-4 overall and swept the league schedule at a perfect 10-0, ending Carthage’s run as the only previous CCIW champ. The Firebirds were also a national quarterfinalist in 2023 after winning 18 matches.
 
Loras was selected third in Friday’s poll with 18 points. North Park was fourth (12 points), followed by Illinois Wesleyan (nine points) and Augustana (six points).
 
The 2024 season officially begins next Friday, Jan 12 with three league squads taking the floor for the first time. Each team’s 10-match, double round-robin conference schedule opens in late February. The top four teams in the final regular-season standings will square off in the annual CCIW Tournament with semifinal matches slated for Wednesday, April 10 and the title match on Saturday, April 13.