XULA picked No. 1 in RRAC preseason coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS — Newcomer Xavier University of Louisiana edged Our Lady of the Lake by one point Tuesday in the Red River Athletic Conference 2021 volleyball preseason coaches poll.

The Gold Nuggets received 4-of-9 first-place votes and 70 points. OLLU was No. 2 in the poll with two first-place votes, and Huston-Tillotson was third with two first-place votes and 61 points.

Southwest (N.M.) received the other first-place vote and was No. 5 in points.

This is XULA’s first season in the RRAC after 40 years in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. The past 10 years XULA volleyball won GCAC regular-season and tournament championships.

This is the eighth consecutive year that XULA volleyball was picked first in a conference coaches poll. That streak began in the GCAC in 2014.

XULA will open its 14th season Aug. 27 with matches against Webber International and Reinhardt in the Wolf Pack Welcome Tournament at city rival Loyola. XULA announced Tuesday its season schedule.

Red River Athletic Conference Volleyball 2021 Coaches Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses)
Place School Points
1. XULA (4) 70
2. Our Lady of the Lake (2) 69
3. Huston-Tillotson (2) 61
4. Wiley 59
5. Southwest (N.M.) (1) 45
6. Jarvis Christian 34
7. Louisiana College 32
8. Texas College 19
9. Paul Quinn 16