BAY CITY, Mich. -- The 2009 campaign provided ample evidence of the high quality and depth of volleyball excellence that keeps the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in good standing among the best of its peers in Division II.

Last fall, the conference had six teams advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament as Saginaw Valley State, Northern Michigan, Hillsdale, Grand Valley State, Ferris State and Michigan Tech all earned bids to the volleyball version of the big show. In claiming six of the eight awarded bids to the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament, the GLIAC expects that trend of high-level success to continue in 2010 as its teams gear up to solidify its position as a premier volleyball conference in D-II.

In the 2010 preseason GLIAC Volleyball Coaches Poll, Ferris and Grand Valley were picked in a tie for first in the North Division. The Lakers earned 32 points and three first-place votes while the Bulldogs had 32 points and two first-place votes. Hillsdale was picked in the top spot in the South Division with 36 points and six first-place votes.

The projected preseason divisional leaders, however, can in no way take anything for granted with fierce competition ahead each night.

For more details, including the GLIAC preseason poll and previews, click here.