FARMINGTON, Utah – The top three in the Big Sky Conference volleyball standings (in some order) the past two seasons? Portland State, Northern Colorado and Weber State. So, the top three of Thursday's Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll? Portland State, Northern Colorado and Weber State.
 
Northern Colorado topped the poll as the clear preseason No. 1 pick, garnering eight of the 10 first-place votes to finish with 80 points in the survey of conference coaches. Weber State finished second in the poll with one first-place vote and 69 points, while the Vikings finished third with 61 points.
 
It's a predictable look for the preseason poll after Northern Colorado won both the Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles last season. The Vikings and Weber State finished tied for second behind the Bears in the regular-season standings, while the Vikings advanced to the Big Sky championship match where they fell to the Bears in five sets.
 
Outside of the top three, Montana State – the team the Vikings beat in last year's semifinals – finished fourth in the poll with one first-place vote and 53 points. Sacramento State, which returns six starters after tying for fourth last season, finished just behind the Bobcats at fifth with 51 points.
 
Montana and Northern Arizona followed at sixth and seventh, respectively, with 41 and 36 points. Eastern Washington (eighth, 28 points), Idaho State (ninth, 20 points) and Idaho (10th, 11 points) closed out the poll.
 
The Vikings return four starters off last year's team that led the program to its first championship match appearance since 2013. Makayla Lewis and Madison Friebel – both All-Big Sky first-team selections last season, as well as the 2021 and 2022 Big Sky Newcomers of the Year, respectively – lead that group of returning starters. Additionally, Sophia Meyers returns after earning All-Big Sky second-team honors last season, while Ashleigh Barto comes back as a three-year starter at middle blocker.
 
The Vikings also return five other letterwinners off last year's team, while adding seven newcomers between four transfers and three incoming freshmen.
 
Saturday marks the first action of the season for the Vikings, as they'll face Oregon – an NCAA Elite Eight team last season and preseason No. 9 in the AVCA Top 25 – in an exhibition. The Ducks will host the Vikings at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene at 6 p.m.
 

2023 Big Sky Conference Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll
Rank	Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1	Northern Colorado (8)	80
2	Weber State (1)	69
3	Portland State	61
4	Montana State (1)	53
5	Sacramento State	51
6	Montana	41
7	Northern Arizona	36
8	Eastern Washington	28
9	Idaho State	20
10	Idaho	11