Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the American Southwest Conference’s East Division in the league’s annual Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cru totaled 34 points in balloting of East Division coaches and sports information directors. East Texas Baptist and U.T.-Dallas tied for first in the coaches’ poll with 63 total points apiece. ETBU picked up seven first-place votes with U.T.-Dallas receiving the other five. U.T.-Tyler is picked to finish third with 50 total points. Mississippi College was chosen fifth with 25 points and LeTourneau University was picked to finish sixth with 17 total points. Texas Lutheran University was picked to win the ASC West Division with 11 first-place votes and 95 total points. Defending ASC champion Hardin-Simmons was second with three first-place votes and 84 total points.

U.T.-Dallas sophomore outside hitter Kyleigh Irish was voted ASC East Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. ETBU senior libero Jill Boyd was chosen ASC East Division Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.

The Cru finished 9-22 overall and 5-12 in ASC East Division play last year and advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament for the first time since the 2001 season. Head coach Kecia Davis returns three letter winners and two starters for this season. UMHB will open the 2007 season with a trip to the Wayland Baptist Coca-Cola Classic this weekend. The Cru will play three games in two days during that tournament, opening with tournament host Wayland Baptist on Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM.