Aug. 22, 2002

Birmingham, Ala. –
The South Carolina volleyball team was predicted to finish second in the Eastern Division for the 2002 season in a vote by the conference coaches. Florida was the unanimous favorite earning 10 of the 11 votes. USC earned the one remaining vote.

USC returns six seniors, all who have started sometime in their career. The Gamecocks will be looking to contend for an SEC title and their sixth NCAA appearance in eight years. USC finished the 2001 season 20-6 overall and 10-4 in the SEC.

Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
SEC Champion: Florida (10)
South Carolina (1)

Eastern Division
Team Points
Florida (10) 50
South Carolina (1) 41
Georgia 27
Kentucky 21
Tennessee 21

Western Division
Team Points
Arkansas (9) 59
Alabama (1) 48
LSU (1) 45
Ole Miss 31
Mississippi State 26
Auburn 15