GRINNELL, Iowa – Always a key player in the Midwest Conference title race, Grinnell College's volleyball team is expected to again be in the mix.
 
The Pioneers were picked to finish second in the conference in balloting by league coaches, receiving one first-place vote and 55 voting points. Defending champ Cornell College was tabbed to win again with eight first-place votes and 64 points.
 
Illinois College was a distant third behind Grinnell with 46 points, Monmouth College was picked fourth with 44 and Lawrence University fifth with 38.