DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League announced this week that the Carthage College Red Men have been tabbed to finish first in 2018 by the preseason coaches poll.
 
The Red Men went 21-3 overall last year and 18-1 as they earned a share of the regular season title with former MCVL member, Dominican University.
 
The Red Men were picked first in 2018, receiving eight first place votes, followed by Mount St. Joseph University second, North Central College third and Wittenberg University fourth to round out the top four and the potential MCVL Tournament field.  After that, the coaches selected Loras University, Fontbonne University sixth, Greenville College seventh, Adrian College eighth, and Augustana College and Olivet College ninth and tenth respectively.
 
 For head coach LJ Marx, the team returns a pair of American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America selections in middle blocker Zack Lillig and setter Matt Reinsel. 
 
Along with the pair of All-America honorees, the Red Men will return five other key contributors including Max Bongratz, Kai Cromwell, Braeden Waumans, Evan Walsh and Tony Allen.
 
Lost for the Red Men heading into 2018 will be a trio of seniors whom were All-America a season ago, as Carthage looks to move on following the graduation of Cody Bolan, Marc Hansen and Griffin Shields.
 
The Red Men will open their season on January 12th as the Red Men host Marymount University at Tarble Arena.  First serve of the 2018 season is set for 7:00 p.m.