| Rk. |
Team |
Pts. |
2017 Record (NWC) |
| 1 |
Pacific Lutheran (7) |
63 |
14-2 |
| 2 |
Whitworth (1) |
47 |
12-4 |
| 3 |
Pacific (Ore.) (1) |
43 |
10-6 |
| 4 |
Whitman |
42 |
9-7 |
| 5 |
Puget Sound |
38 |
8-8 |
| 6 |
George Fox |
31 |
8-8 |
| T-7 |
Willamette |
20 |
5-11 |
| T-7 |
Linfield |
20 |
5-11 |
| T-7 |
Lewis & Clark |
20 |
1-15 |
(Points awarded on an 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches could not vote for their own teams; numbers in parentheses indicate first place votes)
HILLSBORO, Ore. — Pacific Lutheran was voted to claim the Northwest Conference title, raking in 63 points. The Lutes, who finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 21-5 (14-2 NWC), earned the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament after taking down George Fox in three sets in their final conference matchup to claim the NWC title outright and break the Whitworth Pirates' three-year streak.
The team traveled to Georgetown, Tex. where they took down fourth-ranked Trinity University, 3-1, in the opening round of NCAA championship play. In the NCAA second round, the Lutes faced a tough matchup against nationally first-ranked Colorado College at Southwestern University's Robertson Center. Having battled to five sets, the black and gold fell to the Tigers, cutting their NCAA run short. The Lutes ranked first nationally in blocks per set at 2.55, while senior Mackenzie Harris (Snohomish, Wash.) finished the season ranked second nationally in blocks per set at 1.28, and 15th in total blocks at 118. Harris also earned AVCA First Team All-West Region recognition, while teammate Kiana Calles earned AVCA All-West Region Honorable Mention. The Lutes, having lost only four seniors, will return for the 2018 season on the prowl for another NCAA run.
The Whitworth Pirates claim second in the poll, tallying 47 points. The Pirates finished the 2017 season ranked second in NWC final standings with a conference record of 12-4 (15-10 overall), naming three to the All-Northwest Conference team. Emiko Kahler (Happy Valley, Ore.) earned First Team honors, while teammates Cassandra Mendoza (Tekoa, Wash.) earned Second Team recognition, and Lauren Budde (Moraga, Calif.) earned an Honorable Mention nod. Welcoming four first-year athletes, the Pirates will seek a return to the NCAA tournament.
Pacific (Ore.) takes third in the poll, totaling 43 points. The Boxers took home an overall record of 17-7 during the 2017 season, claiming a third-place ranking in NWC final standings. The team finished conference play 10-6 overall, including a three-set victory over first-place Pacific Lutheran. Three Boxers earned All-NWC recognition as Anna VanderWeyst (Lacey, Wash.) was named Libero of the Year and earned a spot on the All-NWC First Team, as well as AVCA All-West Region Honorable Mention. Teammates Karlee Duncan (Bend, Ore.) was named to the All-NWC Second Team, and Ellie Parker (Beaverton, Ore.) earned All-NWC Honorable Mention. The Boxers return for the 2018 season a veteran team, losing just four letterwinners from the previous season.
The Whitman Blues take fourth in the poll, just one point behind Pacific (Ore.) at 42. The Blues finished the 2017 season 9-12 overall (9-7 NWC), ranked fourth in final conference standings. Codie Conching (Honolulu, Hawaii) was named to the All-NWC First Team, while freshman teammate Kalli Dickey (McMinnville, Ore.) earned All-NWC Honorable Mention and was named the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year. The Blues will look to build upon their winning conference record for the 2018 season.
Puget Sound drew in a total of 38 points in the coaches' poll, earning fifth place. The team took home an overall record of 11-12 (8-8 NWC) during the 2017 season, placing senior outside hitter Rita Dexter (Anchorage, Alaska) on the All-NWC First Team.
George Fox takes sixth in the poll, tallying 31 points. The Bruins recorded nine wins and 11 losses during the 2017 season (8-8 NWC). Danyle Duprey (Golden, Colo.) earned All-NWC First Team honors, while teammate Madison Ross (Harrisburg, Ore.) took home an All-NWC Honorable Mention nod.
In a competitive pool, Willamette, Linfield, and Louis & Clark drew a tie in seventh, with each institution bringing in 20 points. The Willamette Bearcats finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 8-16 (5-11 NWC), with Jaiden Mason (Charlotte, NC.) and Emma Liband (Sandpoint, Idaho) earning All-NWC Honorable Mention.
Linfield recorded 11 wins and 12 losses overall (5-11 NWC) during the 2017 season, and placed two on the All-NWC team. The Wildcats' Kayla Magbaleta (Mililani, Hawaii) earned Second Team recognition, while teammate Destyni Grace (Aiea, Hawaii) earned Honorable Mention in her first year as a Wildcat.
Lewis & Clark finished 2-21 overall (1-15 NWC), while junior Kortney Meyer (Phoenix, Ariz.) was named an All-NWC Honorable Mention selection.
The Northwest Conference regular season champion receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship
The 2018 season will commence on Friday, August 31st, as Pacific (Ore.), George Fox, and Louis & Clark will host the two-day Oregon Trail Classic, with Willamette, Whitman, Linfield, and Whitworth all competing. Puget Sound will host the Puget Sound Premiere the same weekend, with Pacific Lutheran in attendance.