Aug. 18, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The Southeastern Conference released the SEC women’s volleyball preseason poll and South Carolina was picked to finish third in the Eastern division. The Florida Gators were picked to win the title while the Georgia Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the east, just ahead of Carolina by only three points. Carolina has two returning starters in All-SEC selection Niece Curry and sophomore Sarah Morgan.

Florida has won the SEC title for 12 consecutive years and 10 of the last 11 SEC Tournament titles. The Gators earned all but one first-place vote among the 11 head coaches and return 10 lettermen, including seven upperclassmen. Following South Carolina in the East is Tennessee and Kentucky.

In the Western division, Arkansas was picked to win with 56 points, while Alabama garners the second spot in the division. LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn round out the rest of the West.

The Gamecocks begin the 2003 season on the road in Los Angeles, Calif. Carolina will play No. 8 Northern Iowa on Aug. 29 in the Holiday Inn Tournament hosted by Southern Cal, and face the defending national champion USC Women of Troy on Aug. 30. The Gamecocks close out the tournament against Ball State, also on Aug. 30.