COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The MSU Denver volleyball team has been picked to finish in a first-place tie in the annual Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll.
 
The Roadrunners, who have played in 20 straight NCAA Division II National Tournaments, last played in 2019, losing to Regis in a dramatic five-set match at Regis in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Regis went on to reach the national semifinals.
 
MSU Denver is picked to share the title with Regis this spring. The fall season, as well as the national tournament, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the RMAC Tournament from April 8 through 10, there is no official postseason in place.
 
MSU Denver returns all but one regular from its rotation and is led by All-South Central Region outside hitter Avaline Lai as well as All-RMAC second team outside hitter Kayla White and All-RMAC second team outside hitter Rylee Hladky. All were named to the preseason Players to Watch list.
 
Regis returns two players from its regular rotation.
 
Regis received six first-place votes from coaches, while MSU Denver was picked by five coaches. Both had 158 poll points.
 
Colorado School of Mines had the other three first-place votes and was picked to finish third with 151 points.

MSU Denver finished second in the regular season last year at 16-2, and was 23-8 overall. 

MSU Denver opens the season Sunday, playing host to Fort Lewis at 11 a.m. and to Colorado School of Mines at 5 p.m.