Utah State Volleyball Picked Fifth In WAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Utah State’s women’s volleyball team has been picked tofinish fifth in its inaugural season in the Western Athletic Conferenceaccording to the league’s coaches as the Aggies received 33 votes. Hawai’i,which has won nine straight WAC titles, was once again selected to win theleague.

The Rainbow Wahine garnered eight of the nine possible first-placevotes, while Nevada earned the other first-place vote and was picked tofinish second. Idaho was picked third by the coaches, followed by NewMexico State, Utah State, Boise State, San Jose State, Fresno State andLouisiana Tech.

“I think the preseason poll accurately lists each team based on whatthey did last season,” said fifth year Utah State head coach Burt Fuller.”We have the talent to compete for a finish in the upper half of the WAC,but we are returning from an injury laden season and will have our work cutout for us. If we are able to remain healthy, and our players play up totheir capabilities, we should fare well.”

Utah State returns six starters and nine lettermen from last year’s teamthat went 9-18 on the season and finished in eighth-place in the Big WestConference with a 5-13 league record. Among those returning for USU issenior Zuzana Cernianska who is a two-time first-team all-Big Westselection, and sophomores Carolyn Forbush, Beth Hodge and Amanda Orgill whowere named to the Big West’s all-freshman team.

Utah State opens the 2005 season on Aug. 26 against Fordham Universityat a tournament hosted by the University of Tulsa. USU’s first home matchwill be on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. against the University of Utah, while its firstWAC match will be on Sept. 22 when the Aggies host New Mexico State at 7p.m.

2005 WAC VOLLEYBALL COACHES’ PRESEASON POLL1. Hawai’i (8) 642. Nevada (1) 573. Idaho 454. New Mexico State 395. UTAH STATE 336. Boise State 317. San Jose State 288. Fresno State 189. Louisiana Tech 9