UM Volleyball Ranked 26th in Preseason Poll

Aug. 12, 2003

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (hurrianesports.com) – The University of Miami volleyball team is ranked 26th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Preseason Poll. The Hurricanes received 174 votes by the AVCA after finishing the 2002 season ranked 23rd.

The ranking marks the first time the Hurricanes have been ranked in the preseason since the inception of the program in 2001.

In 2002 the Hurricanes posted a record of 27-6, while going 10-3 in conference play and finishing second in the BIG EAST before moving on the NCAA Tournament. The Hurricanes notched the program’s first and second NCAA Tournament wins over Duke and Wisconsin, before falling to national powerhouse Nebraska in the regional semifinals.

UM returns five starters and nine letter winners from the 2002 team, including 2002 BIG EAST Player of the Year Valeria Tipiana and BIG EAST Setter of the Year Mallorey James. Tipiana was recently selected as the 2003 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, and along with James was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team.

The Hurricanes will face two nationally ranked teams at the Wildcat Classic in Tucson, Ariz., in matches against #10 Arizona on Sept. 5 and #14 Santa Clara on Sept. 6.

Defending national champions USC received 64 of 65 first place votes to claim the top spot followed by Hawaii at No. 2 and Florida at No. 3.