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 |
Recent Stories
Four Cougars receive AVCA All-America honors
The American Volleyball Coaches Association named four BYU men’s volleyball players to its All-America lists and named…
Sander collects AVCA Player of the Week honors
After leading BYU men's volleyball to an MPSF Tournament title last week, senior outside hitter Brenden Sander has been…