Volleyball tabbed preseason favorite for Big 12 title
Aug. 10, 2011
Volleyball tabbed preseason favorite for Big 12 title After winning or sharing the Big 12 championship three times in the last four years, Texas is picked atop the league's preseason poll. AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Volleyball team has been selected to finish first in the 2011 Big 12 Conference race in a vote of league head coaches. It marks the third time in four seasons (2008, 2009) that the Longhorns have been picked to win the league. Texas received seven of the possible nine first-place votes, while tallying 63 points overall. Iowa State earned the other two first-place votes and tied Oklahoma for second in the rankings with 53 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Texas A&M (43) and Missouri (32) round out the top five, while Baylor (30), Kansas (22), Kansas State (20) and Texas Tech (8) fill out the poll. The Horns return 10 letterwinners and five starters from their 2010 squad that concluded the season with a 27-6 record and an 18-2 mark in Big 12 play. The Longhorns have won four Big 12 titles in program history, claiming the crown in 1997, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Texas kicks off its 2011 season on Friday, Aug. 26 when it plays host to Pepperdine in the Burnt Orange Classic. First serve is set for 8 p.m. Central on the Longhorn Network. 2011 BIG 12 VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Texas (7) 63
T2. Iowa State (2) 53
T2. Oklahoma 53
4. Texas A&M 43
5. Missouri 32
6. Baylor 30
7. Kansas 22
8. Kansas State 20
9. Texas Tech 8
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