Indianapolis, Ind. – After claiming their fourth consecutive GLVC Women's Volleyball Championship last season, Lewis University was tabbed to finish first in the GLVC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
The Flyers topped the poll with 152 total points and five first place votes, just edging out in-state rival Quincy who landed in second with 150 points and four first place votes. Rockhurst rounded out the top three with 147 points and two first place votes. Missouri St. Louis was tabbed fourth with 139 points and two first place votes while Maryville was close behind with 136 points and the remaining first place vote. Indianapolis (104), Illinois Springfield (84), McKendree (82), Drury (73), Missouri S&T (71), Truman State (47), Upper Iowa (37), Southwest Baptist (34) and William Jewell (18) made up the remainder of the poll.
The Flyers return 13 players from last years championship team and welcome in nine new players to the fold for the 2025 campaign. Junior setter
Lily King (Channahon, Ill./Kent State) (Channahon, Ill.) who led Lewis in assists with 669 during the 2024 campaign and ranked fourth on the team for total digs (310) is back for the Flyers. Sophomore outside hitter
Lauren Buxton (Springfield, Ill./Pleasant Plains) (Springfield, Ill.) is back for the red and white this season after she ended last year ranked seventh in the GLVC for hitting percentage (.296), ninth in total kills (185) and third on the team for total blocks with 94.0. Also returning for the Flyers is redshirt junior setter/right side
Rachel Kaczorowski (Carpentersville, Ill./Harry D. Jacobs) who ranked second on Lewis for total assists (606), fifth for digs (244) and ended the year in fifth for total aces in the GLVC during conference play (19).
Returning to the sidelines for Lewis is five-time GLVC Coach of the Year
Lorelee Smith. Now entering her 19
th season, Smith has accumulated 510 wins, with 253 of those coming during conference play, and has led the Flyers to the NCAA Tournament each year since 2006. Last season, the Flyers finished with a 23-11 overall record and 10-3 GLVC mark, en route to their fourth-straight and 14th overall GLVC title in program history.
Lewis begins the year on the road against UNC Pembroke on Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in a neutral site contest at the Bulldog Classic, hosted by Wingate. The Flyers begin conference play with a trip to Springfield, Ill., to face UIS on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. Lewis will begin their home slate on Sept. 30 against Roosevelt with opening serve set for 6 p.m. Tickets for all home volleyball matches
can be purchased here.
For the latest news, scores, and updates on Lewis women's volleyball, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @Lewisuwvb on Instagram and @LewisWVBall on X.
