BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The LSU volleyball team is a preseason pick to finish second in the Southeastern Conference Western Division, it was announced by the conference Tuesday.
“This shows that we are finally gaining some respect around the SEC,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “I think our run to the SEC Tournament final last year really showed everyone that this team is ready to take the next step.”
The Tigers received 44 points and one first place vote from the panel made up of the 11 SEC coaches. Arkansas is the favorite in the West with 54 points and 10 first place votes. Alabama, the defending division champion, is picked third with 39 points.
Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn round out the division selections.
In the East, Florida ran away with the voting, picking up 46 points and 10 first place votes. South Carolina picked up a first place vote en route to 37 points. Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky rounded out the East.
The Gators, who have won 10 straight conference crowns, were also selected as to be the overall conference champions, picking up 10 first place votes. South Carolina received the other.
Voting in the West was done on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis while the East was calculated 5-4-3-2-1. The East has only five teams as Vanderbilt does not have a squad.