Century gets top spot again in WDA volleyball poll

BISMARCK – Three teams received at least one first place vote with defending WDA champion Bismarck Century earning seven to take the top overall spot in the 2023 volleyball preseason coaches’ poll.

In addition to their seven first place votes, the Patriots collected 97 total points. Jamestown picked up three first place votes and 90 points to finish second in the poll. 

Third place was Bismarck High with 79 points. Bismarck Legacy, which collected a first place vote, was fourth with 76 points.

Rounding out the poll was: St. Mary’s in fifth with 60 points; Minot High in sixth with 45 points. Williston and Dickinson tied for the seventh position with 42 points. Mandan was ninth with 39 points. Watford City was 10^th with 25 points and TMCHS Belcourt was 11^th with 10 points. 

The annual poll was conducted by Matt Mullally, WDA executive secretary/SID. Teams received 10 points for a first place vote; nine for second place; eight for third place; seven for fourth place; six for fifth place; five for sixth place; four for seventh place; three for eighth place; two for ninth place and one point for 10^th place. Coaches did not rank their own teams.

The season begins for many Class A schools this weekend, Aug. 25-26, at the Bismarck Public Schools Crossover Tournament. Conference play for several WDA teams begins Aug. 29.

Final Digs

This marks the 41^ST season of WDA/W. Region play…Century has won or shared the last nine WDA regular season titles and won the last nine West Region Tournament crowns…Minot North will play a JV schedule with the move to varsity play in 2024…Taylor Hafner takes the reins of the Dickinson program, replacing long-time coach Jay Schobinger who stepped down…The West Region Tournament will be hosted by Bismarck High, Nov. 9-11…The Class A Tournament is Nov. 16-18 in Fargo.

2023 WDA Coaches Preseason Poll

1. Century (7), 97 points (2022 WDA reg. season finish, 1^st)

2. Jamestown (3), 90 points (2022 finish, 2^nd)

3. Bismarck High, 79 points (2022 finish, 4^th)

4. Bismarck Legacy (1), 76 points (2022 finish, 3^rd)

5. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 60 points (2022 finish, 5^th)

6. Minot High, 45 points (2022 finish, 7^th)

T7. Dickinson, 42 points (2022 finish, 6th

T7. Williston, 42 points (2022 finish, 8^th)

9. Mandan, 39 points (2022 finish, 10^th)

10. Watford City, 25 points (2022 finish, 9^TH)

11. TMCHS Belcourt, 10 points (2022 finish, 11^th)

First Place votes in parenthesis