Texas Volleyball Ranked No. 1 in 2013 AVCA Preseason Poll

 

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Volleyball team has been ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to the 2013 AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) preseason poll released Monday. The No. 1 spot marks the highest preseason ranking in Longhorn history. Texas previously earned a No. 2 ranking on two occasions, in 2009 and 2012.

Texas, the top-ranked team in last season’s final poll after winning the NCAA Championship, received 55 of the 60 possible first-place votes, while Penn State and Stanford received three and two, respectively, to round out the top three teams in the poll. Southern California and Washington were ranked fourth and fifth.

The Longhorns, who compiled a 29-4 overall mark last season, return AVCA All-America selections Haley Eckerman and Bailey Webster as well as senior setter Hannah Allison. Khat Bell, who tallied a .385 hitting percentage last season, and Molly McCage, who started 26 of the Longhorns' 33 matches as a freshman, also return to the UT lineup. In 2012, Texas finished the season winning 23 of its final 24 matches, recorded 22 sweeps and hit .438 in the national championship match over Oregon to claim its second NCAA title in program history.

(Also See: How the 2013 Schedule Benefits Texas)

UT also posted an undefeated home mark in Big 12 Conference play last season en route to its sixth league title. Texas enters the 2013 season having won 40 consecutive league matches at home. Their last league loss in Austin came on Oct. 29, 2008, to Oklahoma.

Texas Volleyball will host the annual Orange vs. White Scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Gregory Gym. A free youth clinic will precede the scrimmage at 9:15 a.m., with the match scheduled for 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. An autograph session will follow at 1 p.m.

 

Rank   School (First-Place Votes)   Total Points  2012 Record     2012 Final Poll

1.         TEXAS (55)                              1490               29-4                    1    

2.         Penn State (3)                          1425               33-3                    3

3.         Stanford (2)                             1379               30-4                    4

4.         Southern California                 1307               30-6                    6

5.         Washington                              1167               25-7                    9

6.         Minnesota                                 1140               27-8                    8

7.         Michigan                                   1120               27-12                  5

8.         Oregon                                      1020               30-5                    2

9.         Florida                                       996                 27-5                    10

10.       Nebraska                                   962                 26-7                    7

11.       Hawai'i                                      825                 27-3                    11

12.       UCLA                                          791                 23-8                    13

13.       BYU                                            728                 28-4                    12

14.       Michigan State                          676                 25-10                  16

15.       Iowa State                                 650                 22-8                    14

16.       Purdue                                      585                 23-11                  15

17.       Kentucky                                   504                 22-11                  20

18.       Florida State                             479                 28-4                    18

19.       Louisville                                   389                 30-4                    17

20.       Kansas                                       304                 26-7                    25

21.       Western Kentucky                   262                 33-4                    21

22.       Dayton                                       229                 27-5                    19

23.       Ohio State                                 202                 23-11                  22

24.       Wichita State                            172                 24-10                  23

25.       Creighton                                  133                 29-4                    24