CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference announced the results of the 2018 Volleyball Coaches' Poll on Wednesday. The two-time defending Mid-American Conference champion Miami RedHawks were picked to finish fourth in the East Division. Junior middle hitter Margaret Payne was selected to the Preseason All-MAC East Division Team.

Ohio received nine first place votes to become the pick to win the MAC East. Bowling Green earned the other three votes and finished second in the poll. Buffalo was picked to place third, finishing only three points ahead of Miami. Kent State and Akron rounded out the poll.

Ball State is the favorite in the West Division, with 10 coaches picking the Cardinals first. Western Michigan received the other two first place votes and was picked second. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and Toledo rounded out the poll.

Ohio received eight votes as the pick to win the overall regular season, while Bowling Green received the other three votes (one coach abstained).

With the MAC Tournament once again in Oxford this year (Nov. 15-18), Miami was the choice of two coaches to win the event. Ohio is the favorite, receiving five votes to win, while Western Michigan tied Miami with two votes. Bowling Green and Ball State each got one vote.

Payne is Miami's top returning offensive player. She appeared in all 32 matches last season, starting 27. She had 289 kills, an average of 2.43 per set. Payne was second on the RedHawks with 79 total blocks, an average of 0.66 per set. She scored 335.0 points for Miami in 2017.

The Red and White open the season this weekend with the annual Miami Best Western Sycamore Inn Invitational. The RedHawks begin play against Saint Louis on Friday at 6 p.m. in a match that will air live on ESPN+.

EAST Division
1. Ohio (9) - 68
2. Bowling Green (3) - 60
3. Buffalo - 45
4. Miami - 42
5. Kent State - 22
6. Akron - 12
WEST Division
1. Ball State (10) - 70
2. Western Michigan (2) - 59
3. Central Michigan - 43
4. Eastern Michigan - 30
5. Northern Illinois - 29
6. Toledo - 21      
Regular Season Champions: Ohio (8), Bowling Green (3)
Tournament Champions: Ohio (5), Miami (2), Western Michigan (2), Bowling Green (1), Ball State (1)
 
Preseason East All-MAC Team
Kallie Seimet, Bowling Green
Tia Jimerson, Ohio
Andrea Mitrovic, Buffalo
Vera Giacomazzi, Ohio
Lizzie Stephens, Ohio
Katie Kidwell, Bowling Green
Margaret Payne, Miami
 
Preseason West All-MAC Team
Meg Wolowicz, Northern Illinois
Rachel Bontorager, Western Michigan
Ellie Dunn, Ball State
Jordan Smith, Eastern Michigan
Kalina Smith, Central Michigan
Amber Seaman, Ball State
Maurissa Leonard, Toledo