Hawaii picked first in Big West women’s volleyball preseason poll
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii outside hitter Tiffany Westerberg spiked the ball, Aug. 12, during volleyball practice in Honolulu. Hawaii opens the season at home in the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic tournament on Aug. 27.
Defending Big West women’s volleyball champion Hawaii will enter the season as the favorite to claim the conference title.
The Rainbow Wahine placed first in the Big West’s preseason coaches poll released today with 117 points. The Wahine received seven of 11 first-place votes. Cal Poly drew the remaining four first-place votes and ranked second with 111 points followed by UC Santa Barbara (90 points) and Long Beach State (88).
Big West women’s volleyball returns this season after the 2020-21 fall sports schedule was canceled. Hawaii went 26-4 overall and 14-2 Big West play to capture the 2019 conference title and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wahine return eight letter-winners from the 2019 roster, including two All-Big West first-team selections in middle blockers Amber Igiede and Skyler Williams and outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle, and honorable mention pick.
UH opens the season against Fairfield on Aug. 27 in the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Wahine also face Marquette and Texas A&M on the opening weekend.
This season will mark the women’s volleyball debuts for UC San Diego and CSU Bakersfield as Big West members.
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Big West Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
(first-place votes)
1. Hawaii (7), 117 points
2. Cal Poly (4), 111
3. UC Santa Barbara, 90
4. Long Beach State, 88
5. UC Davis, 83
6. UC Irvine, 57
T7. Cal State Northridge, 50
T7. UC San Diego, 50
9. CSU Bakersfield, 35
10. Cal State Fullerton, 25
11. UC Riverside, 20
