MOUNT PLEASANT — The Central Michigan volleyball team was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-American Conference West Division in a preseason poll released by the conference office Tuesday.

After a 14-15 finish last season the Chippewas look to claim their first MAC Championship this year.

They are going to have to overcome pre-season favorite Northern Illinois, which received seven first-place votes in the MAC West and has been crowned early regular season and tournament champions. Ball State followed in second with three first-place votes while Western Michigan received three first-place votes to place third.

Last year’s MAC East and MAC Tournament champions Ohio was picked to win the East, receiving 11 first-place votes. Miami followed, with Akron picked third, receiving one first-place vote.

The MAC also picked its preseason All-MAC Team. CMU’s Kaitlyn Schultz who was an all-conference first-teamer last year, was among the six players picked in the MAC West.

The Chippewas will hold a Maroon and Gold scrimmage this Saturday at 3 p.m. in preparation for their season opener Friday, Aug. 26 at the Iowa Invitational.

East Division Preseason Poll

1. Ohio (11 first place votes)

2. Miami

3. Akron (1 first place vote)

4. Buffalo

5. Bowling Green

6. Kent State

West Division Preseason Poll

1. Northern Illinois (7 first place votes)

2. Ball State (1 first place vote)

3. Western Michigan (3 first place votes)

4. Eastern Michigan

5. Central Michigan (1 first place vote)

6. Toledo

Regular Season Champion – Northern Illinois (5 votes)

Tournament Champion – Northern Illinois (5 votes)

East Division Preseason All-MAC Team

Tina Dimitrijevs, Akron

Paige Penrod, Bowling Green

Abby Niekamp, Buffalo

Cassie Farrell, Miami

Katie Post, Ohio

Lexie Hartnett, Ohio

West Division Preseason All-MAC Team

Kelsey Brandl, Ball State

Kaitlyn Schultz, Central Michigan

Rachel Iaquaniello, Eastern Michigan

Lauren Wicinski, Northern Illinois

Kristin Hoffman, Northern Illinois

Jessica Brown, Western Michigan