MVB Predicted 7th Place Finish in Inaugural PAC Season

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The inaugural Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) Men's Volleyball Season is about to begin, and the preseason poll has been announced. The Bethany College men's volleyball team was picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll, in a vote of the conference coaches, the league announced.   

This team is full of new life, bringing in nine freshmen to play in their second official season of competition. They will play for a conference title and official bid to the NCAA DIII Playoffs this season. 

Last season the Bison competed as NCAA Independents, but will find a familiar conference to call home as the PAC reunites its schools that will sponsor a men's volleyball team.

Some of Bethany's conference members have been competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) prior to the PAC sponsoring men's volleyball at the NCAA level. Those schools are Hiram, Thiel, Saint Vincent, and Geneva.

The other two teams to compete in the PAC are Chatham and Grove City. Chatham competed as an NCAA Independent. Grove City officially elevated their club team to NCAA varsity status. 

The Hiram Terriers are coming off an AMCC championship. They were picked to win another title this year, collecting four first-place votes and 34 points. 

In a close second are the AMCC runner ups- Thiel. The Tomcats gathered the other three first place votes, earning 32 points and a predicted finals appearance.

Thiel was followed by Saint Vincent (26), Grove City (21), Geneva (15), Chatham (13), and BETHANY (6). 

The Green and White will host the Adrian Bulldogs for their first competition. The match will be Saturday, January 18th at 10 a.m.

PAC PLAYERS TO WATCH - BETHANY  

Sophomore Middle Blocker McKay Ginez: 

With a deeper roster this year, Ginez will be able to play a more traditional middle blocker role. The California native finished his freshman season with 105.5 points, including 74 kills.

Four other freshmen are tabbed as players to watch for Bethany: 

Riley Burdett is an outside hitter. Alexander Hall is a right side hitter. Logan Mills is a setter. Libero Cole Thomas rounds out the noted freshmen.