Led by returning first-team setter Dana Vargas and middle blocker Stacey Schmidt, the UCSB women’s volleyball team was picked to finish third in the conference in the Big West preseason poll.
Long Beach State was tabbed to repeat as champion and UC Irvine was picked second.
UCSB has five starters back from a team that went 22-8, finished second in the Big West with an 11-5 record and received an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Joining Vargas, a 2009 All-American, and Schmidt from last year’s starting lineup are middle blockers Lily Lopez and Kasey Kipp, libero Chelsey Lowe and outside hitter Leah Sully.
The Gauchos received one first-place vote and 65 points overall based on the conference coaches vote.
Long Beach State, which returns four starters, received seven first-place votes and 79 total votes while UC Irvine had one first place vote and 68 points total. UCSB went 3-1 against the 49ers and Anteaters last season.
Cal State Fullerton was fourth in the preseason poll with 47 points while Cal Poly and UC Davis tied for fifth. Pacific, Cal State Northridge and UC Riverside round out the voting.
UCSB opens its season at the Cal Molten Classic on Friday, Aug. 27 against Cal. The Gauchos’ first home match is Monday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. against Cincinnati.
BIG WEST PRESEASON POLL
1. Long Beach State (7 first-place votes) 79 points
2. UC Irvine (1) 68
3. UCSB (1) 65
4. Cal State Fullerton 47
T5. Cal Poly 45
T5. UC Davis 45
7. Pacific 28
T8. Cal State Northridge 14
T8. UC Riverside
