The Midwest Conference released its 2019 Volleyball Coaches Poll on Monday and Lake Forest College was listed fifth in the rankings.
Voting is done by the MWC head volleyball coaches. Each coach votes for the other nine schools in the league in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (nine points for first, eight for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own teams.
Cornell College was atop the poll after garnering the maximum nine first-place votes and 81 points. The Rams were followed by St. Norbert College (66), Grinnell College (63), and Illinois College (62). The Foresters had 50 points, eight more than sixth-place Ripon College.
Lake Forest returns a dozen letter winners from last year, including the team's 2018 leader in blocks (Isabel Donnelly) and assists (Olivia Rhodes), as well as fellow starters Olivia Smith and Olivia Drevs.
The Foresters will officially open their first season with Katie Rueffer as head coach by taking on four different opponents in the Forester Invitational August 30-31. The team will begin conference play against Illinois College on September 28 and will close out its league schedule on November 1. The top four teams in the conference will qualify for the MWC Tournament, which will be hosted by the league champion November 8-9.
Lake Forest is looking to reach the conference tournament for the first time since 2014. The Foresters' last title came in 2003.
| PLACE | TEAM (First Place Votes) | POINTS |
| 1 | Cornell College (9) | 81 |
| 2 | St. Norbert College (1) | 66 |
| 3 | Grinnell College | 63 |
| 4 | Illinois College | 62 |
| 5 | Lake Forest College | 50 |
| 6 | Ripon College | 42 |
| 7 | Lawrence University | 25 |
| 8 | Monmouth College | 22 |
| 9 | Beloit College | 21 |
| 10 | Knox College | 18 |
