ARLINGTON, Texas – The 2023 conference tournament champion Grand Canyon was chosen as the Western Athletic Conference’s (WAC) top team heading into the year in the 2024 WAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll presented by Jersey Mikes.
 
The defending tournament champion received four first-place votes and 60 points from the league’s nine head coaches, just beating this year’s tournament host, UT Arlington, who earned five first-place votes and 59 points. Utah Valley rounds out the top three as the Wolverines received 50 points.
 
Grand Canyon junior outside hitter Tatum Parrott was tabbed as the 2024 WAC Preseason Player of the Year. Parrott played a big role in the Lopes’ journey to conference tournament champions as she led the WAC with 571.5 points and 490 kills. She also tallied 66 total blocks, 37 service aces, and a .317 hitting percentage. Parrott earned a spot on the 2023 WAC All-Tournament team and the 2023 All-WAC First Team.
 
UT Arlington graduate Mollie Blank was voted as the 2024 WAC Preseason Setter of the Year. Last year, Blank recorded a career-high in assists (1,083), digs (223), and blocks (28). She produced double-digit assists in all but one match, including 13 matches with at least 40 assists and three matches with 50+ assists.
 
Utah Valley sophomore Lani Matavao was chosen as the 2024 Preseason Libero of the Year. Matavao registered 376 digs, 106 assists, and 20 service aces in her freshman year where she was named to the 2023 WAC All-Freshman Team.
 
The preseason favorite Grand Canyon holds three selections on the 2024 Preseason All-Conference Team. UT Arlington had two selections, while California Baptist, Seattle U, Tarleton State, and Utah Valley were also represented as well.
 
2024 WAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
 

Rank	Team (1st-Place Votes)	Points
1.	Grand Canyon (4)	60
2.	UT Arlington (5)	59
3.	Utah Valley	50
4.	California Baptist	41
5.	Tarleton State	35
6.	Abilene Christian	31
7.	Utah Tech	22
8.	Southern Utah	17
9.	Seattle U	9

 
2024 WAC Preseason Player of the Year: Tatum Parrott, Jr., Grand Canyon 
2024 WAC Preseason Setter of the Year: Mollie Blank, Gr., UT Arlington 
2024 WAC Preseason Libero of the Year: Lani Matavao, So., Utah Valley 
 
2024 Preseason All-WAC Team 
Nicole Mauser, So., OPP, California Baptist
Ashley Lifgren, Gr., OH, Grand Canyon
Tatum Parrott, Jr., OH Grand Canyon
Trista Strasser, Sr., MB, Grand Canyon
Arianna Bilby, Sr., OH/RS, Seattle U
Emma Burke, Jr., MB, Tarleton State
Brianna Ford, Gr., OH, UT Arlington
Paige Reagor, Gr., MB, UT Arlington
Avery Shewell, Jr., OH, Utah Valley