The Valparaiso University volleyball team has been picked to finish in third place in the Horizon League in the 2015 season, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches.

The Crusaders totaled 50 points in the voting to finish in third place in the poll, just behind second choice Milwaukee, which finished with 53 points and one first-place vote. Oakland, which captured the league title last season, was a unanimous choice atop the league, with eight first-place votes and 64 points.

Valpo returns 10 letterwinners from the 2014 squad, which won 25 matches and finished in third place in the league standings. Highlighting the returnees are junior outside hitter Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) – last year’s Horizon League co-Player of the Year – and senior setter Kelsey Berrington (Britton, Mich./Tecumseh) – an All-League choice last season.

The Crusaders open play in 2015 this weekend at the Chattanooga Classic, taking on the host Lady Mocs to start tournament action Friday at 5 p.m. CT.