United Athletic Conference

 

The 2022 NCAA volleyball season is officially set to begin this week with nonconference play. A total of 36 matches featuring WAC volleyball members are scheduled during the opening weekend of the year.

 

A division champion from last regular season, NM State earned top billing in the WAC in the 2022 WAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Aggies, the 2021 champion of the WAC West Division, received six first-place votes and 135 voting points to rank as the 2022 conference favorite based on polling of all 13 volleyball member head coaches. Last season’s conference tournament champion Utah Valley received five first-place votes and placed second in the predicted order of finish with 129 points.

 

NM State junior outside hitter Katie Birtcil was selected as the 2022 WAC Preseason Player of the Year. Birtcil hit .277 over 29 matches and led the Aggies with 410 kills and 457.0 points last season. Birtcil was named to the all-conference first team in 2021.

 

Sam Houston sophomore Hannah Baker claimed 2022 WAC Preseason Libero of the Year honors. Baker landed on the all-conference second team last season after turning in 520 digs and 5.10 digs per set across 26 matches. Baker also led the Bearkats with 33 service aces and 0.32 aces per frame.

 

Grand Canyon senior Klaire Mitchell was named the 2022 WAC Preseason Setter of the Year. Mitchell has been the conference setter of the year in each of the past two seasons and led the Lopes with 752 assists and 10.44 assists per set over 21 matches played in 2021. Mitchell was also the 2020 WAC Freshman of the Year.

 

Key matches featuring WAC teams during the opening weekend of volleyball include Utah Valley against No. 23 Kansas on Aug. 26, Utah Valley at No. 22 Utah on Aug. 27 and Michigan (receiving votes) versus Utah Tech on Aug. 27.