The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released its 2015 Division I Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll and the University of Hawai’i received a ranking of 18th. Just last week, the Rainbow Wahine were picked as the Big West Conference’s preseason favorite by the nine head coaches.

Defending national champion Penn State was the top vote-getter on the elite list and was followed by Stanford and Texas.  Florida earned the fourth spot with Nebraska and Wisconsin knotted for fifth. 

In 2014, Hawai’i was unable to secure the conference crown for the first time in 20 seasons, having captured its respective conference title (WAC & Big West) the previous 19 years.  The Rainbow Wahine, who faced a tough challenge of filling the void of All-American outside hitter Emily Hartong and All-Big West first team setter Mita Uiato, finished second to Long Beach State, who was undefeated in conference play, with a 13-3 Big West mark.  But the consensus among the coaches this season seems to be that Hawai’i will find itself back in familiar territory at the top of the standings when the season concludes.

Head Coach Dave Shoji, entering his 41st season at the helm of the UH women’s volleyball program, returns most of his roster thanks to a youthful team he showcased in 2014.  Leading the charge is a trio of All-Big West First Teamers in outside hitters Nikki Taylor and Tai Manu-Olevao and 2014 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention member Olivia Magill, who dominated the Big West on both sides of the net with league highs in hitting percentage (.405) and blocks (1.34).

The Rainbow Wahine open their season with the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational, August 28-30, where they are set to entertain Idaho, Oregon State and Wichita State.

Long Beach State, who captured the 2014 Big West crown with an undefeated 16-0 mark, was the first school listed in the receiving votes category.