WALUNT CREEK, Calif. - The UC San Diego women's volleyball team is expected to contend for the California Collegiate Athletic Association title after being selected to finish second in the CCAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, it was announced on Monday.
Cal State San Bernardino, winners of four consecutive CCAA championships, earned 11 first-place votes and is the coaches' pick to capture the 2010 conference title.
The Tritons return 10 letterwinners including All-American Roxanne Brunsting and All-CCAA honorees in Hillary Williamson and Julia Freidenberg.
Brunsting anchored the defense with 494 digs, the second most in school history, while also posting a .955 reception percentage.
Williamson, the 2008 CCAA Freshman of the Year, averaged 2.73 kills per set and a .272 attack percentage.
Freidenberg earned All-CCAA honors after finishing the year with 171 kills on a .390 average, the second highest percentage in school history.
The 2009 Tritons went 29-3 and climbed to as high as No. 2 in the nation. UCSD advanced to the NCAA West Regional semifinals in San Bernardino. UCSD was 20-2 in the CCAA and sported a perfect 15-0 mark in RIMAC Arena.
UCSD has two upcoming scrimmages on the road against Cal Baptist (August 31) and Point Loma Nazarene (September 1). UCSD's season begins with the Phoenix Inn GNAC Conference Challenge, taking on regional opponents in Alaska Anchorage, Central Washington, Western Washington and Western Oregon.
UCSD's CCAA opener is on Friday, September 10 when it hosts Humboldt State at 7:00 p.m. in RIMAC Arena.
2010 CCAA Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank School (First-Place Votes)
1. Cal State San Bernardino (11)
2. UC San Diego (1)
3. Cal State L.A.
4. Sonoma State
5. Chico State
6. Cal Poly Pomona
7. San Francisco State
8. Cal State East Bay
9. Cal State Monterey Bay
T10. Cal State Dominguez Hills
T10. Humboldt State
12. Cal State Stanislaus
