Conference

Complete Poll in PDF Format

WALNUT CREEK – Four California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s volleyball teams will begin the 2010 campaign with national Top 25 rankings beside their names after the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released its preseason poll on Wednesday.

Cal State San Bernardino, which advanced to the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championship semifinals, is ranked No. 2, while UC San Diego is No. 8, Cal State L.A. No. 14 and Sonoma State No. 21.

All four teams competed in the 2009 NCAA Pacific Regional a year ago, which was won for the second year in a row by Cal State San Bernardino. The Coyotes defeated Cal State L.A. in three sets to claim the regional title.

Cal State San Bernardino is coming off one of its finest seasons in program history after recording a 33-2 overall record. For the second year in a row, the Coyotes’ season ended with a loss to eventual national champion Concordia-St. Paul. 

The Golden Bears, two-time defending national champions, top the 2010 AVCA preseason poll after totaling 788 points and collecting all 32 first-place votes. Concordia-St. Paul is coming off an undefeated season after posting a 37-0 record a year ago.

Following second-ranked Cal State San Bernardino, which tallied 760 points, is Tampa (729), Indianapolis (692) and Central Missouri (676), which rounds out the Top 5.

Entering her 20th season at Cal State San Bernardino, head coach Kim Cherniss welcomes back first-team All-American senior outside hitter Jane Chafeh.

First-year UC San Diego head coach Ricci Luyties takes over the reigns for Tom Black, who took the head job at Loyola Marymount, and inherits a talented team that includes honorable mention All-American junior libero Roxanne Brunsting.

Cal State L.A. finished 2009 with a 23-9 overall record and is led by All-CCAA first-team middle blocker Mary Laupepa. Junior outside hitter Keala Peterson leads a Sonoma State squad that went 23-8 and finished fourth in the CCAA with a 15-7 record.

The 2010 campaign is slated to begin Thursday, September 2 when Cal State East Bay plays at Alaska Anchorage, and Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State L.A. open play in the CPP/CSULA Labor Day Tournament. CCAA play is slated to commence on Friday, September 10 with a full schedule of contests.

2010 AVCA Preseason Top 25 Poll