Black Hills State University is the preseason pick to repeat as the Dakota Athletic Conference volleyball champions. The Yellow Jackets edged last year's regular season co-conference champion Jamestown College Jimmies.
The Yellow Jackets received 49 points to the Jimmies' 42 to claim the top spot followed by Minot State, Mayville State, Dakota State, Dickinson State, South Dakota School of Mines and Valley City State.
The Jimmies, under first-year head coach Jon Hegerle, received the final first place ballot to finish second.
The Yellow Jackets return all but one player from last year's team that advanced to the NAIA national tournament and finished with a 26-8 mark. BHSU will be led by reigning DAC player of the year Kristin Engle as well as fellow seniors Carina Sweet, Kayla Haines, Mandy Brumfield and junior Maggie O'Neill.
The Hardrockers have just one senior on their roster in Katherine Hanson, but first-year head coach Tiffany McCampbell is hoping to see plenty of growth from a group of seven freshmen.
The Hardrockers are looking to improve on a 12-16 record last year.
