Carroll College Men Picked Second, Women Fifth in CCC

Men: a title race on a knife-edge

The report says the Carroll men were picked second with 148 points, just behind Eastern Oregon on 149 and just ahead of Warner Pacific on 147.

• One point separates the top two.
• Two points cover the top three.
• Four first-place votes reportedly went to Carroll.

That is not a polite preseason nod. It is a sign the league sees Carroll as a legitimate contender. After reportedly reaching both the CCC championship match and the NAIA National Tournament in each of the past two seasons, the expectation now shifts from consistency to silverware.

Women: fifth, but with room to rise

The Carroll women were reportedly placed fifth with 112 points, a notable jump in confidence after finishing eighth in the final league standings last season.

There are reasons for that optimism:

• Delaney Moczan is reportedly back after missing much of last season.
• Maria Ackerman returns.
• Avery Lambourne returns.
• Both Ackerman and Lambourne are described in the report as three-year all-conference selections.

The squad is also said to be adjusting after 10 seniors graduated, so the ranking may reflect both respect for the returning core and caution about how quickly the new group settles.

First clues arrive on Wednesday

The report says Wednesday brings the first public exhibition at Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium, with the women set to host North Idaho College at 11:00 and the men following at 13:30.

That should offer the first proper read on two themes: whether the men can turn narrow preseason respect into an edge, and whether the women’s returning leaders can drive a faster rebound than the poll predicts.