Cougars picked second in preseason Big 12 coaches poll

IRVING, Texas — In its inaugural season as a member of the Big 12, BYU women’s volleyball was picked to finished second in the conference, as voted on by the league’s 13 coaches.

The Cougars received one first place vote and a total of 125. Reigning national champion Texas gathered 144 total votes and the remaining 12 first place votes. 

Baylor came in just behind BYU with 123 votes, while TCU (106) and Kansas (105) rounded out the top five teams in the preseason poll. View the full Big 12 press release at the conference's website.

Coming off a 22-7 (15-3 WCC) 2022 campaign and trip to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, the Cougars look to continue their streak of consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and make a splash in year one of their new conference.

Hannah Billeter, Eden Bower, Whitney Bower, Alyssa Erickson (Montoya), Erin Livingston, Whitney Llarenas, Aria McComber, Kate Prior and Elyse Stowell will all return this fall.

Welcoming six freshmen to its 2023 roster, new faces at BYU include Silina Damuni, Addie Benson, Brielle Kemavor, Mia Lee, Claire Little and Brielle Miller, as well as transfer libero Kamaile Hiapo and setter Kalia Thunstrom.

The Cougars kick off their 2023 slate against national semifinalist Pitt at the Ellesyn Invitational in Missoula, Montana on Friday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. BYU's Big 12 schedule will begin at home against Houston on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.