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 2008 and take home its 13th-straight regular-season title.
The Rainbow Wahine received eight of the nine first-place votes with New Mexico State earning the other first-place vote. Hawai?i earned 64 total points followed by New Mexico State with 57. For the second-straight season San Jose State and Idaho finished tied for third with 42 points. Utah State was picked fifth with 40, while Nevada was picked sixth with 34. Boise State finished in seventh place with 20 points, and Fresno State earned 16 points, good for eighth. Louisiana Tech was picked ninth with nine points. Both the Bulldogs and the Lady Techsters have new coaches this season. Lauren Netherby-Sewell takes the reigns at Fresno State, while Matt Sonnichsen becomes head coach at Louisiana Tech.
Hawai?i is coming off a 27-6 season in 2007 that saw the Rainbow Wahine earn their 12th-consecutive WAC regular-season title with a 15-1 record. Hawai?i also captured its eighth WAC Tournament title. Both Hawai?i and New Mexico State advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season.
The 2008 WAC season begins August 29 with all nine teams in action. For the first time ever, the WAC Volleyball Tournament will be held in Honolulu on the campus of the University of Hawai?i. The nine-team tournament will be held November 20-23.
2008 WAC Coaches’ Poll
1. Hawai?i (8) 64
2. New Mexico State (1) 57
3. Idaho 42
San Jose State 42
5. Utah State 40
6. Nevada 34
7. Boise State 20
8. Fresno State 16
9. Louisiana Tech 9