SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State University was picked to finish seventh in the 2019 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday, while NDSU outside hitter Alexis Bachmeier and middle hitter Emily Halverson were recognized as 'Players to Watch'.
 
2019 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	School	Points (1st)	2018 Record (SL)
1.	Denver	61 (5)	27-3 (15-0)
2.	South Dakota	59 (4)	21-10 (13-3)
3.	Omaha	51	17-12 (12-4)
T4.	Purdue Fort Wayne	35	18-14 (8-8)
T4.	Oral Roberts	35	9-19 (6-10)
6.	North Dakota	31	14-18 (6-9)
7.	North Dakota State	29	9-20 (6-10)
8.	South Dakota State	13	6-23 (3-13)
9.	Western Illinois	10	3-26 (2-14)

 
Bachmeier, a 5-foot-9 junior from Fargo, N.D., started in all 29 matches and 110 sets last season. She was tied for second on the team with 23 service aces, and averaged 2.89 digs, 2.76 points and 2.26 kills per set. Bachmeier recorded eight 'double-doubles' including 18 kills and 20 digs at South Dakota State.
 
Halverson, a 6-3 junior from Iowa City, Iowa, started in all 29 matches and 111 sets last season. She hit .228 overall including .266 in Summit League play. Halverson finished No.8 in the league with 106 total blocks and No. 10 with 0.95 blocks per set. She averaged 2.37 points and 1.73 kills per set.
 
North Dakota State is scheduled to open the 2019 season against host Toledo at 6 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 30, at the University of Toledo's Blue & Gold Tournament. The NDSU home opener is 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, against Cal in the NDSU Classic at the Bentson Bunker Field House.
 
North Dakota State finished the 2018 season with a 9-20 record including 6-10 in the Summit League. The Bison reached the Summit League tournament semifinals for the ninth time in 11 trips and became the first No. 6-seed to advance since the league went to six teams in 2013.
 
NDSU returns all but one starter and 10 returning players including Summit League all-tournament pick libero/defensive specialist Abbi Klos and all-freshman team selection setter Kalli Hegerle.
 
Summit League Volleyball 2019 "Players to Watch"
Tina Boe (Denver), MB, Jr.
Amanda Green (Denver), OH, Jr.
Katarina Marinkovic (Denver), OH, Sr.
Anne Rasmussen (South Dakota), DS, Sr.
Madison Jurgens (South Dakota), S, So.
Sami Slaughter (South Dakota), OH, Jr.
Anna Blaschko (Omaha), MB, Jr.
Isabella Sade (Omaha), MB, Jr.
Sadie Limback (Omaha), RS, So.
Sydney Boerst (Purdue Fort Wayne), MH, Jr.
Madelyn Wurster (Purdue Fort Wayne), RS, So.
CeCe Madison (Oral Roberts), OH, Sr.
Ashley Brueggeman (North Dakota), OH, Sr.
Lexi Ahrens (North Dakota), MH, So.
Alexis Bachmeier (North Dakota State), OH, Jr.
Emily Halverson (North Dakota State), MH, Jr.
Ashlynn Smith (South Dakota State), OH, Sr.
Makenzie Hennen (South Dakota State), OH, Sr.
Mariah Mitchell (Western Illinois), RS, So.
Mackenzie Steckler (Western Illinois), OH, Jr.