DENVER, COLO. ?“ Defending Western Athletic Conference volleyball champion Hawai'i has been selected in a poll by the league?™s coaches to defend its crown in 2005 and take home its 10th-straight regular-season title.
The Rainbow Wahine received eight of the nine first-place votes with Nevada earning the other first-place vote. Hawai'i earned 64 total points followed by Nevada with 57. The three new WAC schools, Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Idaho earned 45 points, followed by New Mexico State with 39 and Utah State with 33. Boise State finished a place higher than last season at sixth place with 31 points with San Jose State earning 28 points, good for seventh. Fresno State was picked to finish eighth with 18 points followed by Louisiana Tech which had nine points. This is the first season since 2001 that the WAC hasn?™t played in divisions.
Hawai'i is coming off a 30-1 season in 2004 that saw the Rainbow Wahine earn their ninth-consecutive WAC regular-season title with a 13-0 record. Hawai'i also captured its fifth WAC Tournament title. The Rainow Wahine advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals before losing to Wisconsin, 3-2. Head coach Dave Shoji returns all seven starters, including All-American setter Kanoe Kaman`o.
Nevada finished second in the WAC?™s Western Division last season with a 10-3 mark and a 21-10 overall record. Seven starters return for the Wolf Pack, including all-WAC selections Salaia Salave`a, Tristin Johnson (formerly Adams) and Karly Sipherd.
This season, the WAC welcomes, Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State. Both Idaho and New Mexico State earned bids to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Vandals were 17-13, 9-9 in the Big West. New Mexico State completed a perfect 15-0 record in the Sun Belt Conference. Utah State endured an injury-plagued season, ending the season 9-18.
Preseason Poll
Teamsssssssssss Points
1. Hawai'i (8)sssss 64
2. Nevada (1)sssssss57
3. Idahosssssssssss 45
4. New Mexico State 39
5. Utah Statessssss 33
6. Boise Statesssss 31
7. San Jose Statess 28
8. Fresno Statessss 18
9. Louisiana Techs s 9
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