IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine has been selected fifth in the Big West Conference preseason coaches' poll.
UCI totaled 42 points in the poll as voted on by the league's head coaches. Hawai'i was chosen first with 77 points, Long Beach State (68) second, UC Santa Barbara (63) third and Cal State Northridge (60) fourth. Cal Poly (34), UC Davis (25), Cal State Fullerton (24) and UC Riverside (12) followed the Anteaters in the poll.
Coach Paula Weishoff's Anteaters host the Alumni match Aug. 24 before opening the regular season in the Queen City Classic at Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 29-30.
UCI faces Xavier Aug. 29 before taking on the host Bearcats and Duquesne Aug. 30.
The Anteaters host the UCI Tournament Sept. 5-6 at Crawford Court, facing Idaho and Pepperdine Sept. 5, and Utah State Sept. 6.
After hosting Army Sept. 7, UCI has seven consecutive matches away from home before opening Big West action against Long Beach State Sept. 26 at Crawford Court.
The Anteaters are led by three All-Big West Conference honorees from the 2013 season. Marisa Bubica was an honorable mention selection after pacing the team with a 3.00 kill average and Cassidy Pickrell and Shelley Anderson were both named to the All-Big West Freshman Team last season.
2014 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Hawai'i (5) – 77
2. Long Beach State (1) – 68
3. UC Santa Barbara (2) – 63
4. CSUN (1) – 60
5. UC Irvine – 42
6. Cal Poly – 34
7. UC Davis – 25
8. Cal State Fullerton – 24
9. UC Riverside - 12
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