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Matadors Tabbed Seventh in Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
 
Northridge Earns 27 Points From the Conference's Coaches in Preseason Poll
 

July 29, 2008

2008 Big West Preseason Poll Get Acrobat Reader

IRVINE, Calif. - Cal State Northridge earned 27 points and was picked to finish seventh by the conference's head coaches in the 2008 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll released on Tuesday, July 29.

The Matadors, who return six starters and 10 letterwinners from 2007's 13-18 squad, garnered 27 points from the conference's head coaches and were predicted to finish seventh among nine conference teams. Northridge was picked to finish fifth in last season's preseason poll and wound up tied for fifth at 7-9.

Highlighting the Matadors' 2008 roster are 2007 All-Big West honorees Angela Hupp, Val Kepler and Brittany Williams. Northridge also returns three-year starting setter Kayla Wright, senior libero Amy Hultner as well as senior defensive specialist Kelley Hanson and senior opposite Jenn Probert. In addition, the Matadors will also look to get a full season out of sophomore outside hitter Siara Grayson who missed most of the 2007 season with an injury. Fellow sophomore middle blocker Lynda Morales also returns to give Northridge a formidable presence in the middle.

The Matadors will also look to a solid quartet of recruits including setter Sam Orlandini (La Canada, Calif.), defensive specialist/outside hitter Monica McFarland (Riverside, Calif.), middle blocker Tela Burnett (Pleasant Grove, Utah) and middle blocker Puneet Pataria (San Jose, Calif.).

Two-time defending Big West champion Cal Poly was a unanimous pick to win its third straight regular season crown as the Mustangs earned all nine first place votes and 81 points total. Long Beach State was predicted to finish second after receiving 68 points, UC Irvine was third with 60 points followed by Pacific (55 points) and UC Santa Barbara (49). Cal State Fullerton (36) was picked to finish sixth, followed by the Matadors (27), UC Riverside (18) and UC Davis (11).

2008 BIG WEST PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1. Cal Poly (9), 81 2. Long Beach State, 68 3. UC Irvine, 60 4. Pacific, 55 5. UC Santa Barbara, 49 6. Cal State Fullerton, 36 7. Northridge, 27 8. UC Riverside, 18 9. UC Davis, 11

() denotes first place votes

- GO MATADORS -



The Matadors return six starters and 10 letterwinners in 2008