BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ‐‐ The Southeastern Conference’s 13 coaches have selected the Florida Gators to win the 2013 SEC volleyball title in a preseason vote announced Thursday. Coming off a 19‐1 SEC season and 27‐5 overall mark, Florida received 12 of 13 first‐place votes for this year’s prediction. The Kentucky Wildcats received a first‐place vote after finishing 22‐11 overall and 14‐6 in SEC play last year.
The Gators (12 points) were also picked to win the Eastern Division. The Wildcats were picked second in the division with 25 points while Missouri was third with 35. Georgia was picked fourth with 44 points while Tennessee (56 points) and South Carolina (65 points) were chosen to finish fifth and sixth in the division, respectively.
Texas A&M and LSU share preseason Western Division honors as both teams were predicted to win the division with 21 points each. The Aggies, the reigning SEC Western Division champions after capturing the title with a 16-4 mark in their inaugural season in the league, garnered six first-place votes in Western Division voting. The Tigers received five first‐place votes and were picked to win the West for the sixth consecutive season.
Arkansas was selected third in the West with 36 points, and Auburn was picked fourth with 45 points. The Alabama Crimson Tide (56 points) was chosen to finish fifth while the Ole Miss Rebels (58 points) were picked sixth. Mississippi State, predicted seventh with 78 points, rounds out the Western Division votes.
Points were compiled on a 1‐2‐3‐4‐5‐6 basis for the Eastern Division and 1‐2‐3‐4‐5‐6‐7 for the Western Division. Each coach is not allowed to vote for his or her own team and each coach also voted for one team as an overall conference champion.
The Aggies report Friday for meetings and a team dinner and hold their first official practice Saturday morning. A&M opens its 2013 campaign August 30 at the North Dakota Classic in Grand Forks, N.D. The Aggies play their home opener Sept. 12 against Siena and begin SEC play Sept. 29 against Georgia at Reed Arena.
Visit AggieAthletics.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.
SEC Preseason Coaches Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
SEC Champion: Florida (12)
Western Division
Team Points
1. Texas A&M 21
1. LSU 21
3. Arkansas 36
4. Auburn 45
5. Alabama 56
6. Ole Miss 58
7. Mississippi State 78
Eastern Division
Team Points
1. Florida (12) 12
2. Kentucky (1) 25
3. Missouri 35
4. Georgia 44
5. Tennessee 56
6. South Carolina 65
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics