Aug. 13, 2012
SEATTLE - The American Volleyball Coaches Association trotted out its preseason Top-25 this afternoon, and Washington checks in at No. 14 to start the year. The Husky season begins next Friday, Aug. 24, at Alaska Airlines Arena against Boise State. Washington has been a mainstay in the Top-25 during Head Coach Jim McLaughlin's tenure. The No. 14 ranking is up three spots from where the Dawgs finished the 2011 season after going 24-8 and losing in five sets in the NCAA second round. The rankings give more perspective on the challenging schedule that awaits UW. Defending NCAA Champion UCLA starts the 2012 season on top, followed by Texas, Penn State, Nebraska, and USC at No. 5. The Huskies will have two matches apiece with the Bruins and Trojans, and will also twice play No. 6 Stanford, No. 17 California, and No. 20 Oregon in Pac-12 play. In non-conference play, No. 9 Purdue will provide a big challenge. Home opponent Long Beach State is the first team out of the top-25 in the receiving votes category. LSU and Arizona are also receiving votes. |
