LACEY, Wash. – After a historic season under head coach Dan Behnke, where the Saints' volleyball program set the school record in wins (10), the Saints were tabbed ninth in the 2022 coaches' preseason poll.
 
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The defending champions, Western Washington, assumed their top spot once again, finishing with nine first place votes for a total of 98 points. Central Washington (89 points) and Alaska Anchorage (74) went second and third, with Anchorage earning the final first place vote.
 
Simon Fraser (70), Seattle Pacific (61), Alaska (50), and Northwest Nazarene (43) made up the middle of the standings. Rounding out the ten schools was Montana State Billings (25), Saint Martin's (22), and Western Oregon (18).
 
The Saints return an experienced core with high expectations to build upon last season's successes. Lead by sophomore standout Tia Allen, who led the Saints in kills (288), points (333.5) and aces (25) as a freshman. Not only was Allen lethal on the offensive side of the net, but also on the defensive, finishing third on the team in digs (260), and fourth in blocks (36).
 
Adding to the Saints' young superstar is outside hitter Kylie Coon, and right-side Gracie Brenner. Coon and Brenner combined for 277 kills last season and were third and fourth in kills respectively. Brenner led the way for the Saints in solo blocks with 13, and her 44 total blocks were third best on the team.
 
Jennifer Soha and Maddy Gooding form a strong returning middle presence. In their first full season for the Saints, the two combined for 181 kills, 13 solo blocks, and 100 total blocks. Soha earned most of her playing time in a tough GNAC conference last season, picking up 41 of her 58 blocks against GNAC foes.
 
Other notable returners include libero Giselle Benetti, setter Mahina Pescaia, and libero Abigail Halstead. Benetti and Halstead return a combined 412 digs in the back row, while Pescaia's 170 assists last season were second most on the team.
 
Saint Martin's welcomes five new players to the 2022 squad including middle blockers Loredana Fouonji, and Zoey Crimin, outside hitter Emmy Hansen, libero Mackenzie Gilchrist and setter transfers Brooklyn Johnson, and Karla Soto.
 
The Saints open the season in Billings, Montana part of the MSUB Opening Weekend Tournament on August 26th and 27th before returning home to host Pacific Lutheran on August 30 for their home opener. Closing out non-conference play will be the Saints hosting a six-team tournament on September 1st thru the 3rd inside Marcus Pavilion.