MOUNT PLEASANT — Central Michigan’s volleyball team has been picked third in the annual preseason coaches poll, which was released Wednesday morning by the Mid-American Conference.

The Chippewas were picked to finish behind Western Michigan and Ball State in the West Division.

The Chippewas, who claimed their first MAC tournament title last season and Cardinals each received one vote, with the Broncos receiving 10 first-place votes and being voted as the overall regular season and tournament champion.

Northern Illinois was picked fourth, Eastern Michigan fifth and Toledo sixth to round out the West Division.

The Ohio Bobcats received 11 first-place votes to claim the top spot in the East, while Miami received one first place vote to be ranked second. Bowling Green was ranked third, Buffalo fourth, Kent State fifth and Akron sixth.

CMU returns five starters and its primary libero from a squad that finished 8-8 in the MAC regular season and went on to the win the tournament and earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament.

The Maroon and Gold will play nine of its 11 non-conference matches on the road before opening MAC play versus Northern Illinois inside McGuirk Arena Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.