BYU volleyball: BYU women's volleyball picked fourth in WCC preseason poll

PROVO, Utah — West Coast Conference coaches picked the BYU women’s volleyball team to finish fourth in league play and named junior opposite hitter Jennifer Hamson to the Preseason All-WCC team Wednesday.

Hamson and the Cougars finished their inaugural season in the WCC with a 10-6 record, good for third place in conference standings and tied with Saint Mary’s. In the 2011 poll, BYU was picked to finish sixth and Saint Mary’s was picked to finish second.

Following the 2011 season, Hamson was named All-WCC and Academic All-WCC after leading the Cougars and the conference in kills per set with 3.94. Hamson was also No. 22 in the nation for points per set at 4.88.

Saint Mary’s and San Diego were picked to tie for first place in the conference this season. San Diego took second place in league play in 2011, finishing its season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The WCC women’s volleyball season officially starts August 24. For schedules, scores and standings, please visit WCCsports.com.

2012 WEST COAST CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL

TEAM (First Place Votes)

POINTS

T1. Saint Mary's (4) 59

T1. San Diego (4) 59

3. Pepperdine (1) 53

4. BYU 42

5. San Francisco 33

T6. Loyola Marymount 27

T6. Santa Clara 27

8. Portland 13

9. Gonzaga 11

2012 PRESEASON ALL-WEST COAST CONFERENCE TEAM

NAME

SCHOOL

YEAR

POSITION

Samantha Cash

Pepperdine

Sophomore

Middle Blocker

Chloe Ferrari

San Diego

Sophomore

Middle Hitter

Jennifer Hamson

BYU

Junior

Opposite Hitter

Katie Hoekman

San Diego

Junior

Middle Hitter

Betsi Metter

Loyola Marymount

Junior

Defensive Specialist

Jordan Shaw

Saint Mary's

Junior

Outside Hitter

Malina Terrell

San Francisco

Junior

Middle Blocker

Missy White

Saint Mary's

Senior

Setter

Kellie Woolever

Pepperdine

Junior

Setter

Valentina Zaloznik

San Francisco

Sophomore

Middle Blocker

Rachel Hawks is the BYU women's volleyball sports information director for BYU Athletic Communications.