BYU Chosen First in MPSF Preseason Poll

PROVO, Utah - The BYU men's volleyball team collected 115 points and six of the 11 possible first place votes to take the No. 1 spot in the 2012 MPSF Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Both the point and first-place point totals for the Cougars are the most in the annual poll since 2007 in MPSF history, when eventual national champion UC Irvine posted 121 points and seven top votes.

The Cougars are coming off a 20-win season last year, a second place MPSF finish, and an undefeated regular season at home. Three All-Americans are expected to highlight the roster with middle blocker Futi Tavana, opposite Robb Stowell and 2011 conference newcomer of the year Taylor Sander. The team consists of four talented newcomers to compliment a core of 17 returning players.

BYU's 2012 season begins Jan. 6 and 7 in Santa Barbara, Calif., and the Cougars will play their first home match on Jan. 20 against USC.

Rank	Team	Points (First-Place Votes)	2011 Record	2011 MPSF Finish
1	BYU	115 (6)	20-8 overall; 16-6 MPSF	#2 (MPSF Quarters)
2	UC Irvine	112 (4)	19-12 overall; 14-8 MPSF	#4 (MPSF Semi)
3	Stanford	92 (1)	19-9 overall; 15-7 MPSF	#3 (MPSF Quarters)
4	UCLA	90 (1)	16-15 overall; 9-13 MPSF	#8 (MPSF Quarters)
5	USC	72	23-4 overall; 20-2 MPSF	#1 (MPSF Finals)
T6	Long Beach State	68	15-14 overall; 12-10 MPSF	#6 (MPSF Semi)
T6	CS Northridge	68	7-22 overall; 5-17 MPSF	#10T
8	Pepperdine	62	11-15 overall; 7-15	#9
9	Hawaii	44	15-13 overall; 13-9 MPSF	#5 (MPSF Quarters)
10	UC Santa Barbara	32	18-15 overall; 11-11 MPSF	#7 (MPSF Champ)
11	Pacific	26	11-19 overall; 5-17 MPSF	#10T
12	UC San Diego	11	9-20 overall; 5-17 MPSF	#10T