Volleyball Picked Sixth in Big 12 Preseason Poll
8/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
WACO, Texas â '¬" Baylor volleyball was picked sixth in the Big 12 Conference preseason coaches' poll released by the league office Friday. It ties the Bears' third-best preseason projection in the league's 20-year history and marks the seventh straight season the Bears have been picked either fifth or sixth in the poll.
Baylor's best Big 12 preseason projection came when the Bears were picked fifth in 2009 and 2012. BU was also picked sixth in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Texas was atop the preseason poll for a fifth straight season and garnered all eight possible first-place votes for a total of 64 points. Iowa State was picked second with 53 points, followed by Oklahoma with 49 points and the only other first-place vote. Kansas was picked fourth with 43 points, followed by Kansas State with 41 points.
Baylor received 26 points to rank sixth, followed by TCU with 24 points, Texas Tech with 16 points and West Virginia with eight points.
BU returns seven of 11 letterwinners from the 2014 squad that went 14-17 and finished tied for seventh in the Big 12 with a 4-12 conference record. The Bears' returning letterwinners are senior Andie Malloy, sophomore Katie Staiger, senior Adrien Richburg, junior Tola Itiola, senior Amy Rosenbaum, junior Morgan Reed and sophomore Jana Brusek.
Baylor opens the 2015 season playing at Colorado State on Aug. 28. The Bears' first home match under first-year head coach Ryan McGuyre will be Sept 4., when BU hosts Sam Houston State at 4 p.m. CT as part of the annual Baylor Tournament.
2015 BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Texas (8) â '¬" 64
2. Iowa State â '¬" 53
3. Oklahoma (1) â '¬" 49
4. Kansas â '¬" 43
5. Kansas State â '¬" 41
6. Baylor â '¬" 26
7. TCU â '¬" 24
8. Texas Tech â '¬" 16
9. West Virginia â '¬" 8
