DALLAS – Fresh off its runner-up finish in the Lone Star Conference last season, the Tarleton Volleyball team has been picked to finish third in the 2009 Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll as announced on Thursday at the LSC Fall Sports Media Day in Dallas.

The TexAnns, who finished 22-10 overall and 10-3 in the LSC last season, received three first-place votes and 427 overall points.

Defending LSC Champion West Texas A&M was selected as the preseason favorite to win the LSC title in a vote of the league's coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives from throughout the region.  The Lady Buffs earned 31 of the 38 possible first place votes while tallying 524 points overall to take the top spot. 

West Texas A&M was followed by Abilene Christian (478) who received the remaining four first-place votes.  The TexAnns were followed by Midwestern State (384), Texas Woman's (352), Angelo State (349), Central Oklahoma (314) and Texas A&M-Commerce to finish out the top eight spots.  Southeastern Oklahoma (246), Cameron (198), Texas A&M-Kingsville (175), East Central (133), Southwestern Oklahoma (104) and Eastern New Mexico (48) rounded out the poll.

West Texas A&M's Laura Prinsen (offense) and Katie Rickwartz (setter) were both picked as preseason favorites.  Abilene Christian's Shawna Hines got the nod for preseason defensive player of the year as well

LSC teams open the season the week of Aug. 27, while conference action is slated to begin on Sept. 17.

The TexAnns open their season on Aug. 27, against Nebraska-Omaha in Ohmaha, Neb. at the UNO Showcase.