USU volleyball: Utah State volleyball tabbed fourth in Preseason WAC Poll

Adding to the mix are three newcomers in junior college transfer Jocelyn Hobbs (Rexburg, Idaho) along with a pair of in-state signees in freshmen Candace Richins (Kaysville, Utah) and McKell Staheli (Pleasant Grove, Utah). Hobbs is a middle blocker who joins the Aggies from nearby Western Wyoming Junior College. Outside hitter Richins comes to USU after a highly-decorated career at Davis High School, and Staheli, a libero, joins the Aggies after a standout career at Pleasant Grove High School.

The USU volleyball team opens the 2012 season with the Blue-White Scrimmage on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. Prior to the scrimmage, the team will be holding a free Mother-Daughter skills clinic. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, and the clinic will run from 5-6 p.m. prior to the team's Blue-White Scrimmage.

The clinic, which is for children under the age of 14 and adults who are at least 18, will focus on basic volleyball technique, as well as providing up-to-date information on rule changes in the collegiate game. All participants will receive a free USU Volleyball T-shirt. The team will be available for autographs following the scrimmage.

To register online, go to www.utahstateaggies.com/volleyballclinic.html. For more information, contact the USU Volleyball Office at (435) 797-2063.

Utah State volleyball tickets are available by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program at twitter.com/USUVolleyball or on facebook at facebook.com/USUVolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on facebook at facebook.com/USUAthletics.

2012 WAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rank Team Points

1. New Mexico State (8) 79

2. Idaho (2) 67

3. UTSA 58

4. Utah State 57

5. Texas State 52

6. Denver 43

7. San Jose State 34

8. UT Arlington 27

9. Seattle U 18

10. Louisiana Tech 15

2012 Preseason All-WAC Team

Player Yr. Pos. School

McKenzie Adams Jr. OH/MB UTSA

Alex Akana Sr. MB San Jose State

Amari Deardorff Jr. RS Texas State

Meredith Hays So. OH NM State

Faimie Kingsley Sr. MB Denver

Lauren Loerch Jr. OH NM State

Desiree Scott Jr. MH NM State

Alex Sele Sr. MB Idaho

Shay Sorensen Sr. OPP Utah State

Allison Walker Jr. OH Idaho

Whitney Walls Sr. RS UTSA

Joselyn White Sr. OH Utah State

Preseason Player of the Year

Meredith Hays, So., New Mexico State

Doug Hoffman is the assistant athletic director for Utah State University Athletic Media Relations.