IRVING (August 8, 2012) -- The Baylor volleyball team tied a program best by being picked fifth in the 2012 Big 12 Preseason Poll, conference officials announced Wednesday. The selection ties the fifth-place nod from the 2009 poll.
Baylor garnered 36 total points in the preseason poll of the league's head coaches, just four points behind fourth-place Oklahoma. Texas was picked to win the Big 12 for the fourth time in the last five seasons, earning eight first-place votes with 64 points. Iowa State was selected second, earning the lone remaining first-place vote with 54 points, while Kansas State was picked third, one point shy of ISU. Kansas (30) was selected sixth followed by TCU (22), Texas Tech (17) and West Virginia (8).
Led by preseason All-Big 12 selection Torri Campbell, Baylor will look to advance to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament after an 18-15 mark in 2011. The 2012 squad returns 10 letterwinners and four starters while welcoming seven newcomers.
Baylor will open the season at home for the Fairfield Inn North Baylor Classic on Aug. 24-25. The Bears will face the Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., then play Nevada at 12:30 p.m. and Tulane at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25.
2012 BIG 12 VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Texas (8) 64
2. Iowa State (1) 54
3. Kansas State 53
4. Oklahoma 40
5. Baylor 36
6. Kansas 30
7. TCU 22
8. Texas Tech 17
9. West Virginia 8
