August 20, 2008

Malone Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country & Volleyball All Earn Spots In NAIA Pre-Season Polls

The Malone College men's cross country, women's cross country and volleyball teams have each earned mention in their respective NAIA Pre-season Top 25 Coaches' Polls.  Men's cross country is #1 in the nation, women's cross country is ranked third and volleyball is listed among those receiving votes.
 
After capturing the NAIA National Championship last fall, the Pioneer men's cross country team picked up right where it left off last year, earning a #1 pre-season ranking.  Malone held the #1 position in the NAIA ratings for the entire 2007 season and received all 15 first-place votes to once again grab the top spot in this year's poll.  2007 national runner-up Black Hills State (SD) University starts the 2008 campaign at #2.  Azusa Pacific (CA) University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (FL) University are tied for third while Concordia (CA) University grabbed the fifth position.
 
The Malone women's cross country team, which finished fourth at last year's NAIA National Championships, also fared quite well in their poll as they open the 2008 season at #3.  The Pioneers earned 352 total points to take the third position behind fellow American Mideast Conference member Cedarville University at #1 and Azusa Pacific at #2.  Milligan (TN) College follows Malone in fourth with Biola (CA) University and Wayland Baptist (TX) University tied for the fifth position.
 
The Pioneer volleyball team was listed among those receiving votes in their poll after a strong runner-up performance at last year's NAIA Region IX Tournament.  Malone joins fellow American Mideast Conference members Walsh University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, who are ranked 17th and 25th, respectively.
 
In voting announced last week, the Malone football squad also received national recognition, earning the 24th spot in the pre-season rating.
 
 
To view the complete NAIA Pre-season Top 25 fall sports rankings, please click on the links below:
 
 
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