Tuesday, July 17, 2001

Wahine favored
to win WAC title
in preseason poll

UH receives 9 of 10
votes from coaches

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Star-Bulletin staff

The University of Hawaii women's volleyball team has had few challenges from Western Athletic Conference foes the past few years.

The league coaches don't expect things to change much.

The Wahine are again favored to win the WAC title, receiving nine of 10 votes from the league coaches in the preseason poll released yesterday. Hawaii, which reached the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament last season, had 81 points.

Receiving the remaining first-place vote was San Jose State, which returns five starters. The Spartans finished second in the WAC last season at 22-10 overall, 13-3 in conference.

In third is Nevada with newcomer Boise State and UTEP tied for fourth. Rounding out the poll are Fresno State, Rice, Southern Methodist, Tulsa and newcomer Louisiana Tech.

The Wahine have won the past five regular-season titles. Hawaii was 31-2 overall and 18-0 in the WAC.

Returning for the Wahine are junior All-American Lily Kahumoku, the WAC Player of the Year, and Co-Freshmen of the Year Maja Gustin and Kim Willoughby. Also back is all-WAC performer Jennifer Carey.

Hawaii opens the season against defending champion Nebraska at the NACWAA State Farm Women's Volleyball Classic at Stockton, Calif., on Aug. 24. Also in the tournament at the Spanos Center are national runner-up Wisconsin and Pacific.

This will be the second NACWAA appearance for Hawaii, which won the event in 1996.

The tournament teams are invited based on projected rankings. All four teams are expected to be ranked in the Top 5 in the first national coaches poll next month.

WAC preseason poll

1. Hawaii (9)	81
2. San Jose State (1)	69
3. Nevada	65
4. Boise State	46
tie UTEP	46
6. Fresno State	45
7. Rice	38
8. SMU	32
9. Tulsa	19
10. Louisiana Tech	9

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu