Aug. 18, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team was tapped to finish second overall in the Southeastern Conference in a preseason vote by the league’s 11 coaches announced Tuesday.

The Florida Gators were selected to win their 19th consecutive conference championship by the league’s coaches. Florida received seven votes, while Kentucky tallied three votes and Tennessee snagged one in league champion voting.

The Gators were voted to win the Eastern Division with 16 total points. But, the league coaches’ votes indicate that it will be a close race between Florida and UK as the Wildcats charted 17 votes. Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia round out the Eastern Division.

After finishing second overall in the conference a season ago, the Wildcats also received three first-place votes for the division title.

LSU was unanimously predicted to win the West by receiving all 10 first-place votes.

Points were compiled on a 1-2-3-4-5-6 basis for the Western Division and 1-2-3-4-5 for the Eastern Division. Coaches were not allowed to vote for his or her own team and each coach also voted for one team as an overall conference champion.

The Wildcats begin their 2009 campaign Friday, Aug. 28 when they host the Kentucky Classic. Northwestern will be the Blue and White’s first opponent when they take to the court at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.

Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for complete coverage of the Kentucky volleyball team.

Preseason Coaches’ Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

SEC Champion: Florida (7), Kentucky (3), Tennessee (1)

Eastern Division
Florida (7) 16
Kentucky (3) 17
Tennessee (1) 25
South Carolina 36
Georgia 46

Western Division
LSU (10) 10
Ole Miss 24
Alabama 25
Auburn 41
Arkansas 44
Mississippi St. 51