PSAC Announces Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll; LHU Opens New Era on Sept. 2

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released the 2023 Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ polls today (Aug. 17), and the Lock Haven volleyball team was picked eighth in the PSAC Eastern Division.

When the Bald Eagles open the 2023 season on September 2, they will also open a new era as it will mark the debut for head coach Mike Kraft.

Lock Haven officially announced Coach Kraft’s hire on May 24.

A decorated collegiate player in his own right, Kraft previously served as an assistant coach at the college level with the men’s Division III program at Juniata College. Most recently, Kraft held the role of head coach and technical director at Horseshoe Volleyball Club in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. From 2013 to 2016, he was the men’s volleyball assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Juniata College. During the 2014 season, Kraft helped guide Juniata to an NCAA DIII national runner-up finish. Kraft also spent time on the coaching staff at Division I Saint Francis, working with the men’s program.

The new era will officially kick off on Saturday, Sept. 2 as the Bald Eagles open the 2023 season with a pair of matches at the College of Saint Rose. Lock Haven will take on host Saint Rose and face off vs. Assumption.

The 2023 season will start with a busy stretch on the road. On Friday, Sept. 8, Lock Haven will travel to Salem for a non-conference match.

From there, the Bald Eagles head to a competitive two-day (Sept. 15-16) tournament at West Virginia Wesleyan. On Friday, Sept. 15, Lock Haven will face Seton Hill and Bowie State, before playing Central State and Indianapolis on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The Haven will open PSAC East play on Friday, Sept. 22 at Bloomsburg. The match is set for a 6 p.m. start. Last season the two local-rivals split the two-match PSAC East season series.

Lock Haven’s 2023 home-opener is set for Friday, Oct. 6 vs. Millersville (6 p.m.). The full 2023 Lock Haven volleyball schedule is available at GoLHU.com.

The Bald Eagles return several veterans with PSAC East experience and Coach Kraft has rounded out the 2023 roster with seven talented freshmen.

East Stroudsburg received four of eight first-place and was tabbed by the coaches as the favorite in the PSAC Eastern Division. Shepherd and Shippensburg each received two first-place votes and were slotted No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. West Chester checked in at No. 4 and was followed by Kutztown, Millersville, Bloomsburg and Lock Haven in the Eastern Division.

In the PSAC Western Division, Gannon picked up seven of nine first-place votes and was picked as the favorite. Clarion grabbed two first-place votes and was picked second, while IUP rounded out the top-three. Edinboro was picked fourth and was followed by Slippery Rock, Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown, California and Mercyhurst.