BTN.com staff, BTN.com staff, August 16, 2013

Defending Big Ten champion Penn State was chosen as the conference favorite for the 2013 season, as voted on by the Big Ten coaches, it was announced Friday. Earning the conference?s automatic berth to the NCAA Championship last season, the Nittany Lions top the poll for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.

Minnesota, which finished tied for second in the Big Ten in 2012, was voted to finish second this season. Michigan, which advanced to the NCAA semifinals last season, was selected to finish third this year, while Nebraska, which also finished the 2012 conference season tied for second, was tabbed fourth in the voting. Michigan State and Illinois round out the poll at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

2013 Preseason Poll
1. Penn State
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
4. Nebraska
5. Michigan State
6. Illinois

2013 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM

Name School Yr. Position             Hometown
Jocelynn Birks Illinois So. Outside Hitter Willow Springs, Ill.
Liz McMahon (2) Illinois Jr. Outside Hitter Liberty Township, Ohio
Jennifer Cross Michigan Sr. Middle Blocker Scarborough, Ontario
Lexi Dannemiller Michigan Jr. Setter West Chester, Ohio
Lexi Erwin Michigan Sr. Outside Hitter Spring, Texas
LAUREN WICINSKI Michigan State Sr. Outside Hitter Geneva, Ill.
TORI DIXON (3) Minnesota Sr. Middle Blocker Burnsville, Minn.
Ashley Wittman (3) Minnesota Sr. Outside Hitter Shakopee, Minn.
Stephanie Holthus (3) Northwestern Sr. Outside Hitter Burlington, Ill.
Megan Courtney Penn State So. Setter/Outside Hitter Dayton, Ohio
Micha Hancock Penn State Jr. Setter Edmond, Okla.
Deja McClendon (3) Penn State Sr. Outside Hitter Louisville, Ky.
ARIEL SCOTT (2) Penn State Sr. Rightside Hitter Ridgewood, N.J.
Katie Slay (3) Penn State Sr. Middle Hitter Raleigh, N.C.

UNANIMOUS SELECTION IN CAPS
(2)  Two-time selection
(3)  Three-time selection