BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team was picked to place sixth this season in the Ohio Valley Conference, according to a poll of the league’s head coaches and media relations contacts.
The Colonels earned a total of 140 points in the preseason poll, 19 fewer than fifth place Morehead State (159) and 14 more than seventh place Tennessee Tech (126).
Eastern Kentucky posted a 10-23 record in 2015 and went 9-7 in conference play, finishing fifth in the league. Three starters return from last season’s team.
Belmont (235) is the preseason favorite to capture the OVC regular season crown. Murray State (227) was picked second. Belmont received 16 of a possible 24 first place votes. Murray State received six first place votes and Morehead State received two first place votes. Coaches and media relations contacts were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Tennessee State (178) was picked third and Eastern Illinois was tabbed fourth (172).
Southeast Missouri (92) was picked eighth. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (89) was ninth followed by Jacksonville State (82). Austin Peay and University of Tennessee Martin both received 38 points, tying for 11th place.
Eastern opens the 2016 season against Louisiana State University on Aug. 26 at the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C.
2016 OVC Volleyball Predicted Team Order of Finish
(as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
School Points
- Belmont (16 first-place votes) 235
- Murray State (Six first-place votes) 227
- Tennessee State 178
- Eastern Illinois 172
- Morehead State (Two first-place votes) 159
- Eastern Kentucky 140
- Tennessee Tech 126
- Southeast Missouri 92
- SIUE 89
- Jacksonville State 82
t11. Austin Peay 38
t11. UT Martin 38
(*Schools were not allowed to rank their own team. 11 points awarded for a first-place vote, 10 for second, etc.)