Aug. 18, 2008
(San Bruno, CA) - USF volleyball was picked fourth in the 2008 West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, sharing the spot with Saint Mary's. Last season the Dons and the Gaels shared fifth place in the final league standings. USF welcomes back nine returning letter-winners and four starters to the fold this season. Five seniors look to make the most of their collegiate curtain calls and middle blockers Carly Babin and Alix Gombos, outside hitters Addie Webster and Zuzana Bednarova and setter Darcy Carroll are all focused on powering the Dons to new heights in 2008. Junior libero Haley Carroll headlines the group after capturing WCC Defender of the Year honors, becoming the first USF player to receive a major year ending conference award. A pair of WCC Honorable Mention selections - Gombos and sophomore opposite hitter Sarah Mandala - also look to increase their production and lead the Dons this season. With an outstanding cast of returning players and accomplished, dynamic newcomers, USF looks to make a push towards the top of the league standings and pursue the second NCAA Tournament berth in program history. San Francisco made strides during the 2007 season and posted its third consecutive winning season, extending the longest streak in program history. The Dons showed flashes of brilliance with convincing sweeps of West Coast Conference powers No. 12 San Diego and ancient Bay Area rival Santa Clara, but fell short of their ultimate goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament. Last season the Dons were picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches poll. San Diego has been selected as the preseason favorite to take home the 2008 West Coast Conference regular season title, narrowly edging Pepperdine and Santa Clara, as voted on by the head coaches in the conference. The Toreros, who shared the 2007 WCC crown with Santa Clara, received three first place votes for a total of 56 points.
Following close behind the Toreros in the voting was Pepperdine, which totaled 55 points and also received three first place votes, and Santa Clara, which totaled 53 points and garnered one first place vote. Rounding out the top half of the poll is Saint Mary's College and the University of San Francisco, both of which tallied 34 points with the Gaels receiving the last first place vote. Loyola Marymount University was tabbed sixth with 29 points, followed by Gonzaga University with 18 points, and the University of Portland with 9 points. USF opens the 2008 season when it competes in the Long Beach State Invitational, beginning Friday, August 29 at the Walter Pyramid. The Dons tackle tournament host and perennial national power 49ers in the opening match on Friday. First serve is set for noon. 2008 WEST COAST CONFERENCE COACHES POLL |
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