August 12, 2002
Texas A&M is ranked 17th in the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Preseason Poll, released Monday.
"I am somewhat surprised with the ranking considering we lost five starters to graduation," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "At the same time, it is well known across the country that we have a talented group returning, and I am proud that the program has earned that respect."
The Aggies return 10 letterwinners from last year's team that went 26-6 and ranked 11th in the final poll after advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in school history. In addition, Corbelli has signed a talented freshman class which is expected to make significant contributions.
"Our inexperience is what we will have to overcome ," Corbelli said. "Our goal is to continue to work toward a top spot in the Big 12 Conference and move up in the national rankings as the season progresses."
Four of the 11 Big 12 teams -- Oklahoma State does not have a volleyball team -- are ranked in the Top 25, and four others received votes. Final Four partticipant and three-time defending Big 12 champion Nebraska leads the league with a No. 2 ranking. A&M is the second-highest ranked team in the league, followed by Colorado and Kansas State at No. 22 and No. 23, respectively. Texas , Missouri, Baylor and Texas Tech each received points and are listed 28th, 34th 38th and 43rd, respectively.
"It is evident that the Big 12 is one of the top conferences in the nation, and every week we will be preparing for top-notch competition," Corbelli said. "That will help our group rise to the level where we would like to be when postseason play begins."
Stanford, who downed A&M in the regional finals en route to te national title, is No. 1 in the preseason poll. Nebraska, USC, Hawaii and Long Beach State round out the Top 5.
A&M non-conference opponents ranked in the Top 25 are No. 10 Wisconsin, who the Aggies upset in the Sweet Sixteen, and No. 23 BYU.
The Aggies open the season August 30 when they play host to Alcorn State, Texas-San Antonio and LSU at the McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational I at G. Rollie White Coliseum.