August 08, 2005
The Texas A&M volleyball team is ranked No. 16 in the CSTV/AVCA Volleyball Top 25 Coaches Preseason Poll, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced Monday.
"I expected the votes to fall about like they did, and the fact that we are picked the 16th strongest team in the nation is a great honor," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "After a 19-9 2004 season, the team is excited and ready to challenge that record with a 20-plus win season this fall. If we stay healthy and determined, I believe we can show that we are at least 16th in the nation, if not higher."
Defending Big 12 Conference champion Nebraska is the top ranked team in the poll, receiving 35 of 60 first-place votes. Washington received 15 first-place points and is ranked second. Defending NCAA champion Stanford received eight first-place points and is ranked third. Hawaii and Penn State each received one first-place vote and round out the top five, respectively,
Nebraska and A&M are joined by No. 11 Texas and No. 21 Missouri as the four representatives from the Big 12 ranked in the preseason Top 25. In addition, three Big 12 teams received points and are listed No. 38 or above. Kansas State is listed No. 26, followed by Kansas and Colorado listed No. 34 and No. 38, respectively.
The Aggies, who were listed No. 15 in the 2004 preseason poll, are slated to play nine matches against teams ranked in the Top 25 preseason poll, including non-conferences matches against No. 7 Southern California and No. 8 Florida at the UTSA Dome Rally in San Antonio, Sept. 9-11.
Senior All-American outside hitter Laura Jones highlights A&M's list of 10 returning letterwinners from last year's team that advanced to the NCAA second round and ranked No. 20 in the final poll with a 19-9 record. Other starters returning are senior middle blocker Kendra Felder, senior setter Kari Kelley, senior outside hitter Cristin Burton and junior middle blocker/outside hitter Christi Hahn, as well as senior libero Holly Clay.
"Our goal is to win a Big 12 Championship and advance into the deep rounds of the NCAA tournament," Corbelli said. "With the experience, talent, leadership and chemistry of this squad, I look forward to the season with great anticipation and excitement."
The Aggies open the season by hosting the Texas A&M/Fazoli's Funfest Aug. 26-27 at G. Rollie White Coliseum. A&M opens against Prairie View A&M on Friday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. and faces Texas-Arlington Saturday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m.