Aug. 11, 2005

LAS VEGAS - The Mountain West Conference released its 2005 volleyball preseason poll on Thursday. A panel of the league's nine head coaches and selected media chose BYU as the favorite to win the 2005 MWC regular season title. UNLV was chosen to finish in fourth-place. Coincidentally, the Rebels closed out the 2004 season with a 15-12 record and in fourth-place.

BYU collected seven first-place votes and 108 total points. Utah, received three first-place votes and 106 total points. Colorado State, who has won the regular season title the past five seasons, was chosen third with three first-place votes and 96 total votes.

The Rebels come in fourth with 74 total votes. TCU, the newest member to the MWC, picked up 62 total votes for fifth-place. San Diego State (44 total votes), Wyoming (42 total votes), New Mexico (37 total votes) and Air Force (16 total votes) round out fifth- through ninth-place.

The 2005 edition of the Rebels returns eight contributors from 2004's 15-12 squad. Maria Aladjova, the MWC's 2004 Co-Freshman of the Year, heads up the returners which includes: Michelle Banks, Ashley Flahaven, Kristin Koochi, Brittani Lumsden, Lauren Miramontes, Mariana Pencheva and Jada Walker. Joining the Rebels for `05 are seven freshmen: Anna Casares, Camille Cunningham, Erin Greenwood, Jennifer Johnson, Melody Nua, Kortney Reid (a 2004 redshirt) and Erica Watson.

2005 MWC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' PollPlace   Team (1st place votes)  Points1   BYU (7)                   1082   Utah (3)                      1063   Colorado State (3)            964    UNLV                       745   TCU                    626   San Diego State           447   Wyoming                    428   New Mexico            379   Air Force                      16