LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego women's volleyball team earned a preseason ranking of No. 8 in the nation, according to the 2010 American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Four California Collegiate Athletic Association teams were ranked, including No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino, No. 14 Cal State L.A. and No. 21 Sonoma State. Also ranked is No. 24 Alaska Anchorage, a team the Tritons will open the season against at the Phoenix Inn Great Northwest Athletic Conference Challenge.

Earlier this week, the Tritons were selected to finish second in the CCAA preseason poll.

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.