SAN ANTONIO – The Tarleton TexAnn volleyball team has been picked to finish 12th overall in the Lone Star Conference according to the preseason poll that was released at LSC Media Day in San Antonio on Tuesday.
The league's preseason polls reflect the opinions of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
West Texas A&M, last season's LSC Champions and national runner-up, was picked to win the conference this season garnering 27 first-place votes for a total of 584 votes. Abilene Christian was picked to finish second in 2010 with 13 first-place votes and 567 total votes. Angleo State (487), Central Oklahoma (424) and Texas A&M-Commerce (343) rounded out the top five.
The newest LSC member, Incarnate Word, was picked to finish sixth with 342 total points in their first season in the conference. Midwestern State (336), Texas Woman's (321), Southeastern Oklahoma (320) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (295) round out the top 10 in the poll, while Cameron (242) was picked to finish 11th just ahead of the TexAnns.
East Central (145) Southwestern Oklahoma (99) and Eastern New Mexico (74) finished out the preseason poll, respectfully.
ACU was tabbed with two preseason player of the year honors. Shawna Hines, last season's Defensive Player of the Year, was picked as the preseason favorite on the defensive side of the net, while teammate Ijoema Moronu received preseason Setter of the Year honors. UCO's Zuela Adom was named the conference preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
The 2010 volleyball season begins in late August, with 15 teams set to compete in the league with the addition of Incarnate Word. LSC teams will use a one-conference, single round-robin scheduling model in 2010, in which each team will play one match against each of the other teams.
The LSC regular season title will be determined by conference matches with the champion and runner-up receiving trophies, while the postseason tournament will use an eight-team bracket, taking the top eight teams in the final conference standings. The tournament will be played Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-13, using the NCAA regional format and be hosted by the No. 1 seed.
The TexAnns will open the 2010 season against Southern Arkansas on Friday, Sept. 3 at the Texas A&M-Commerce Invitational.
LSC Volleyball Preseason Poll 1st TOTAL
1. West Texas A&M 27 584
2. Abilene Christian 13 567
3. Angelo State 487
4. Central Oklahoma 424
5. Texas A&M-Commerce 343
6. Incarnate Word 342
7. Midwestern State 336
8. Texas Woman's 321
9. Southeastern Oklahoma 320
10. Texas A&M-Kingsville 295
11. Cameron 242
12. Tarleton State 221
13. East Central 145
14. Southwestern Oklahoma 99
15. Eastern New Mexico 74
