Crimson Tide Volleyball Picked to Finish Second in SEC West
8/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA ?? The University of Alabama volleyball team has been picked to finish second in the SEC Western division in a poll of the league’s coaches. The Tide, who finished third in the division in 2005, earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament last year and returns five starters from that group.
“The preseason poll is a reflection of the talent that exists in this conference right now,” head coach Judy Green said. “Our goals for the season are very firm and we will evaluate daily where we feel we need to be in order to compete for the SEC Championship. Right now we have our sights set on the Miami Hurricanes and no further.”
Florida was picked to win the league title ahead of Tennessee in the Eastern division. LSU was selected as the favorite in the Western division. There will not be an SEC Tournament this season.
“I feel we are all still chasing Florida,” Green said. “LSU certainly is a very talented team as is Arkansas in the Western half of the conference.”
Alabama opens the 2006 campaign on Friday, Aug. 25, with the Academy Sports Invitational. The Tide faces Miami (Fla.) at 7 p.m. in the CAVE in the season opener. Other teams attending the Academy Sports Invitational include Kansas and Alabama A&M.
2006 SEC Preseason Coaches Poll
Eastern Division
1. Florida
2. Tennessee
3. Kentucky
4. South Carolina
5. Georgia
Western Division
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Mississippi State
5. Auburn
6. Ole Miss
