CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference released its 2025 Volleyball Preseason All-MAC Team on Monday, with Western Michigan senior middle blocker Mary Clare Brusek representing the Brown and Gold. The conference also released its preseason coaches poll, with the Broncos picked to finish fourth.  
 
A 2023 All-MAC Second Team selection, Brusek tied for third on the Broncos in kills with 247 and tied for second in blocks with 56.0 last season. She is the leader among WMU's returners in both categories. The Evergreen Park, Ill., native posted a .281 hitting percentage in 2024 to help Western Michigan repeat as MAC Tournament Champions and make its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Coming off of their second straight 20-win season and MAC Tournament title, the Broncos were picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll. Reigning regular season champion Bowling Green was tabbed as the league's preseason favorite, garnering 10 out of 12 first-place votes. Ball State, which Western Michigan beat in the MAC Tournament Championship Match last season, picked up the other two first-place votes and claimed second overall. Central Michigan was voted third, followed by WMU.
 
The Broncos open up the 2025 campaign on Friday night as they welcome Oakland to University Arena at 6 pm. Single-game tickets for Western Michigan volleyball are on sale now at wmubroncos.com/tickets.
 
2025 MAC Volleyball Coaches Poll
First Place Votes in ()
1. Bowling Green (10) - 119 pts.
2. Ball State (2) - 102 pts.
3. Central Michigan - 101 pts.
4. Western Michigan - 93 pts.
5. Buffalo - 77 pts.
6. Toledo - 73 pts.
7. Ohio - 66 pts.
8. Eastern Michigan - 48 pts.
9. Miami - 38 pts.
10. Akron - 35 pts.
11. Northern Illinois - 26 pts.
12. Kent State - 14 pts.
Tournament Champion: Bowling Green (10), Buffalo (1) and Central Michigan (1)