Aug. 18, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
In the annual preseason poll of the Southeastern Conference volleyball coaches, South Carolina ranked fifth in the Eastern Division, the league office released today.

The Gamecocks recorded 44 points, five in back of fourth-place finisher Georgia. Tennessee was picked to win the division, followed by Florida and Kentucky. LSU was named the favorite in the Western Division, followed by Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Alabama. The Lady Vols garnered nine first-place votes to claim the overall league title, while Florida received the other two votes.

Yesterday, the SEC announced the Preseason All-SEC team, and Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee all had two players on the 10-person list. Four SEC teams landed in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll posted on Tuesday. Florida led the pack at No. 13, with Kentucky (14), Tennessee (19) and LSU (24) joining the Gators in the poll. The Gamecocks also face No. 6 Illinois on August 27 at 11 a.m., in the team’s second match of the season.

Season tickets are on sale now at GamecocksOnline.com or by calling 866-4SC-FANS. The $25 price for adults works out to under $2 a match for the 14-match home slate, while youth 17 and under can purchase a season ticket for just $10.

Southeastern Conference Volleyball
Preseason Coaches Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

SEC Champion: Tennessee (9), Florida (2)

Eastern Division
Team, Points
Tennessee, 11
Florida, 21
Kentucky, 25
Georgia, 39
South Carolina, 44

Western Division
Team, Points

LSU, 13
Auburn, 19
Arkansas, 25
Mississippi, 43
Mississippi State, 46
Alabama, 49

Preseason All-SEC Team
Name, School, Pos.
Alyssa Meuth, Alabama, RS
Jasmine Norton, Arkansas, OH
Kristy Jaeckel, Florida, OH
Kelly Murphy, Florida, S/RS
Valentina Gonzalez, Georgia, MB
Becky Pavan, Kentucky, MB
Lauren Rapp, Kentucky, RS
Michele Williams, LSU, MB
Nikki Fowler, Tennessee, OH
Kayla Jeter, Tennessee, OH