Bethlehem Academy, Kenyon-Wanamingo Ranked No. 1 in Preseason Polls

The Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason polls are out and the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals and Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights are ranked on top of the Class A and AA polls in volleyball.

In Class A, the second-place finisher at last year's all-Gopher Conference final, Bethlehem Academy, has a lot back from last season's strong team and received all six first-place votes.

Defending state champion Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is rated No. 4 along with Heritage Christian. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton is second and Mabel-Canton third.

The Cardinals are in Section 1A and, to show how tough the section is, four of the top 10 teams in the rankings are from that section. In addition to Bethlehem Academy and Mabel-Canton, Caledonia is eighth and Hayfield ninth in the preseason Coaches Poll.

Kenyon-Wanamingo received two first-place votes with four other schools receiving one each and No. 2-ranked Rocori didn't receive any first-place votes.

Defending state champion Belle Plaine has defeated Kenyon-Wanamingo in the past three section finals and is ranked third with a first-place vote. Fellow Hiawatha Valley League team Stewartville received a first-place vote and is fourth. Maple Lake is fifth and Concordia Academy sixth and each received the other first-place votes.

Kasson-Mantorville out of the HVL is eighth and Jordan 10th.

In Class AAA rankings, Eagan was in first with six first-place votes and Prior Lake second with one first-place vote. Lakeville South is third, Champlin Park and Wayzata rank fourth and Roseville, Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Hopkins and North St. Paul round out the top 10.