The 2014 Big West women’s volleyball defending champs, Long Beach State, has been pegged to finish second in the 2015 preseason coaches’ poll.
The poll, consisting of votes from the nine head coaches from the Big West, chose the 49ers (16-0, 27-5) to finish behind Hawai’i (13-3, 22-7) as they received eight first place votes for the poll while LBSU received one.
The Rainbow Warriors had their streak of 19 straight Big West titles snapped last season, with the 49ers taking home the honor. The Warriors ended their 2014 season falling to the University of Washington in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Hawai’i is welcoming back most of its team from last year including All-Big West First Team outside hitters junior Nikki Taylor and senior Tai Manu-Olevao, as well as American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention team member Olivia Magill. Senior middle blocker Magill ended last season with a .405 hitting percentage and a 1.34 blocking percentage.
The Big West Player of the Year and LBSU senior setter Jenelle Hudson returns for her final season alongside the Big West Freshman of the Year, middle blocker Ashley Murray.
The 49ers lost senior libero Tyler Jackson, outside hitter Bre Mackie and middle blocker Chisom Okpala after LBSU’s season ended at the second round of the NCAA tournament.
UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Northridge and UC Davis round out the top five of the coach’s poll behind the 49ers.
The 49ers kick off their season against UC Davis and have their first matchup against the Warriors on Oct. 11 in Hawaii.