BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The LSU volleyball team was the unanimous selection Tuesday to the win the SEC Western Division as picked by the league’s coaches. It marks the third consecutive season that the Tigers received all 10 first-place votes.
“Being chosen to win the West is an honor that we don’t take lightly,” head coach Fran Flory said. “The SEC continues to get better and better each year. There are a lot of teams who were young last season that bring back a lot of talented players. The league is as wide open as it’s ever been from top to bottom, and it’s going to be challenge every time we step on the court.”
LSU has racked up four consecutive SEC Western Division titles and are 28-2 against its fellow division foes since 2006. The Tigers also have tallied four straight NCAA Tournament appearances posting an impressive 90-31 record and the nation’s 14th best winning percentage during its four-year run.
Following the Tigers in the West predictions in order are Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas and Mississippi State.
Florida garnered seven of the 11 first-place votes in the East and was selected to claim its 19th consecutive overall league championship. Kentucky and Tennessee also notched first-place votes, while South Carolina and Georgia round out the East, respectively.
LSU also picked up 19 votes in the AVCA Top 25 released Tuesday. Last year’s NCAA Champion Penn State sits atop the preseason poll. The Tigers have matches slated against No. 3 Nebraska, No. 5 Stanford, No. 8 Florida, No. 21 Kentucky and No. 23 Long Beach State. LSU squares off against Tulane, Tennessee and Rice, who also are receiving votes.
The Fall Sports Pass which costs $50 for adults, $25 for youth is now on-sale at www.LSUSports.net, the official Web site of LSU Athletics. Tickets also can be purchased at the ticket office or by calling (225) 578-2184 or (800) 960-8587. LSU students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a LSU ID.
The pass features 21 action packed events and results in a 66 percent savings off regular season ticket prices between the volleyball and soccer programs. Fans who purchase a Fall Sports Pass receive an LSU T-Shirt, Visor and Frisbee.
Below are both the SEC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and AVCA Preseason Top 25.
SEC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
Western Division
Team Points
LSU (10) 10
Ole Miss 24
Alabama 25
Auburn 41
Arkansas 44
Mississippi State 51
Eastern Division
Team Points
Florida (7) 16
Kentucky (3) 17
Tennessee (1) 25
South Carolina 36
Georgia 46
SEC Champion: Florida (7), Kentucky (3), Tennessee (1)
Rank, School (First-Place Votes), Total Points, 2008 Record, 2008 Final Rank
1. Penn State (52), 1487, 38-0, 1
2. Texas (6), 1405, 29-4, 4
3. Nebraska, 1345, 31-3, 3
4. Washington (2), 1330, 27-5, 5
5. Stanford, 1283, 31-4, 2
6. California, 1215, 26-7, 6
7. Hawai’i, 1036, 31-4, 7
8. Florida, 1020, 27-4, 10
9. UCLA, 961, 22-11, 8
10. Illinois, 919, 26-8, 11
11. Minnesota, 904, 27-7, 14
12. Southern California, 852, 17-12, 13
13. Iowa State, 786, 22-13, 12
14. Oregon, 727, 25-9, 9
15. San Diego, 554, 23-5, 19
16. Michigan, 530, 26-9, 17
17. Utah, 505, 26-6, 16
18. Wichita State, 402, 30-2, 18
19. Purdue, 386, 26-9, 15
20. Saint Louis, 354, 29-5, 21
21. Kentucky, 288, 26-6, 22
22. Kansas State, 213, 24-8, 20
23. Long Beach State, 190, 26-6, 23
24. Colorado State, 170, 23-7, 24
25. Santa Clara, 102, 18-10, 25
Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots:
Pepperdine 75; Duke 53; Texas A&M 45; Wisconsin 43; Western Michigan 37; New Mexico State 28; Wright State 24; St. Mary’s (Ca.) 23; UC Irvine 22; Tulane 21; Ohio 20; LSU 19; Arizona 18; Cal Poly 18; Tennessee 16; Louisville 15; Michigan State 9; San Francisco 8; Baylor 5; Missouri State 5; Oklahoma 5; Middle Tennessee 4; Rice 3