Hawai'i Ranked Eighth In AVCA Preseason Poll

8/13/2012

Newest Big West member University of Hawai'i is ranked eighth in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll released today.

UCLA nabbed the top spot with 54 first-place votes for a total of 1,485 points. Picking up one first-place vote en route to a second place selection is Texas, who is followed by Penn State. The Rainbow Wahine totaled 989 points for the eighth slot.

Defending Big West Champion Long Beach State collected 66 points, just missing the elite list.

The 2012 women's volleyball season begins Friday, Aug. 24. Hawai'i is slated to host the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational where it faces Albany, Saint Mary's and No. 6 Stanford. The 49ers begin the new year on the road as they pack their bags and head to Lexington, Kent., for the Kentucky Classic to battle Lipscomb, North Carolina and host No. 13 Kentucky.

AVCA Preseason Poll
1. UCLA (54) - 1485
2. Texas (1) - 1341
3. Penn State - 1302
4. Nebraska (1) - 1281
5. USC (1) - 1233
6. Stanford (3) - 1197
7. Illinois - 1163
8. Hawai'i - 989
9. Purdue - 935
10. Iowa State - 886
11. Pepperdine - 801
12. Florida State - 770
13. Kentucky - 724
14. Washington - 677
15. Tennessee - 652
16. Minnesota - 616
17. California - 583
18. Florida - 543
19. San Diego - 476
20. Oregon - 366
21. Northern Iowa - 286
22. Kansas State - 246
23. Michigan - 210
24. Ohio State - 163
25. Colorado State - 136

Others receiving votes: Long Beach State 66, North Carolina 57, Dayton 42, St. Marys 33, Michigan 30, Louisville 28, Tulsa 25, LSU 24, Western Kentucky 24, Arizona 17, Texas A&M, Miami 13, BYU 12, Missouri 9, Cincinnati 6, Oklahoma 4, Wichita State 3.