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There is no doubt about the preseason favorite in the MIVA.
Ball State garnered every first-place vote to finish atop the MIVA Preseason Coaches Poll that was released Tuesday.
The Cardinals return a majority of starters after winning their third consecutive MIVA regular season title, including All-MIVA pin-hitters Tinaishe Ndavazocheva and Patrick Rogers. Freshman All-American setter Lucas Machado also returns for a second season with the Cardinals.
Along with its returning starters, Ball State in the offseason added opposite Raje Alleyne – the 2024 Division II National Player of the Year who transferred from Quincy.
Ball State is attempting to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. The Cardinals have been the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament each of the last three years but have been upset in the tournament the last two seasons.
The defending MIVA champions Ohio State finished in third place in the preseason poll. Loyola received six more points than Ohio State to end in second place.
Lewis and McKendree round out the top-five spots of the nine-team poll.
The MIVA regular season will begin in February and conclude with the eight-team conference tournament in April. The winner of the MIVA Tournament will receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament at Ohio State.
2025 MIVA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Ball State – 81 (9) points
2. Loyola – 66 points
3. Ohio State – 60 points
4. Lewis – 58 points
5. McKendree – 47 points
6. Lindenwood – 38 points
7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 25 points
8. Queens – 20 points
9. Quincy – 9 points
2025 Preseason All-MIVA Team
Opposite: Raje Alleyne, Ball State
Opposite: Ian Schuller, Lindenwood
Opposite: Shane Wetzel, Ohio State
Outside attacker: Daniel Fabikovic, Loyola
Outside attacker: Tinaishe Ndavazocheva, Ball State
Outside attacker: Patrick Rogers, Ball State
Outside attacker: Max Roquet, Lewis
Outside attacker: Kevin Schuele, McKendree
Outside attacker: Parker Van Buren, Loyola
Middle attacker: Nicodemus Meyer, Loyola
Middle attacker: Cole Young, Ohio State
Libero: Nico Paula, Lewis
2025 MIVA Preseason Player of the Year
Outside attacker: Parker Van Buren, Loyola