Texas A&M-Corpus Christi favored to defend title in Southland Conference preseason volleyball poll

Islanders grab 13 first-place votes to top preseason rankings

FRISCO, Texas – Defending conference regular-season and tournament champion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was voted to the top spot in the Southland Conference Volleyball preseason poll, the league announced Thursday. The preseason predicted order of finish is presented by Ready®.

After claiming its third title in seven years with a 13-1 mark in league play, the Islanders are the favorites to hoist the trophy once again with 13 first-place nods and 157 total points. A&M-Corpus Christi placed a league-best three student-athletes on the preseason all-conference first team, including reigning Player and Setter of the Year Faith Panhans and last year’s Libero of the Year Carissa Barnes.

Led by defending Southland Coach of the Year Trent Herman, HBU comes in just six points off the defending champions with the remaining seven first-place votes and 151 points overall. The Huskies led the way with four total preseason all-league selections with a pair each on the first and second teams.

Accounting for a pair of spots each on the preseason all-conference teams, Southeastern (125) and McNeese (106) were voted to the third and fourth spots, respectively. UIW received 95 points to round out the top half of the list, and Northwestern State followed at No. 6 with 83 points.

Making its transition to Division I, Texas A&M-Commerce (54) edges out Nicholls (50) and New Orleans (46), and Lamar rounds out the poll with 33 points.

The season begins Friday, Aug. 26 with all ten squads in action, and conference play opens Thursday, Sept. 22. The 2022 Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament will be held Nov. 17-20 in Hammond, La.

The preseason poll is voted on by head coaches and SIDs from each Southland volleyball school. Voting for one’s own team is not permitted.

2022 Southland Volleyball Preseason Poll
Pl. Team (First-place votes) Total
1. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (13) 157
2. HBU (7) 151
3. Southeastern 125
4. McNeese 106
5. UIW 95
6. Northwestern State 83
7. Texas A&M-Commerce 54
8. Nicholls 50
9. New Orleans 46
10. Lamar 33