Texas State selected second in Sun Belt West Preseason Poll behind South Alabama

The Sun Belt Conference Offices announced the 2023 coaches’ preseason poll where the Bobcats were picked to finish second in the West Division.

“Being picked where we are, with losing as many starters as we did, it is a testament to what the coaches in the Sun Belt think about our program,” head coach Sean Huiet said. “Which is a huge compliment. It’s great to see where they picked us, but we know it’s just a preseason poll and are working hard to be at the top of that poll come November. This team is hungry to make a statement in the Sun Belt and get Texas State back to the NCAA tournament.”

The Bobcats are coming off a 24-7 season in which they finished first in the West Division, going 14-2 in conference play.

The Bobcats made an appearance in the Sun Belt Conference Championship, losing 3-1 to James Madison, and narrowly missed an NCAA tournament at-large bid.

James Madison took first in the coaches’ poll with 94 votes and 13 first place votes.

The returning conference champions also had three players named to the All-Conference Preseason Team, and boast the 2023 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

South Alabama is anticipated to finish atop the West after receiving 93 points and 10 firstplace votes.

Texas State received 77 points with three firstplace votes.

The Bobcats will prepare to open the 2023 season with an exhibition against the UTSA Roadrunners on Saturday afternoon.

The lone exhibition game for the Bobcats will take place inside Strahan Arena at 2 p.m.. Texas State will then open the season on the road, at a tournament at the University of Tennessee, opening against Marist College on Aug. 25.

2023 Sun Belt Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll

East Division

1. James Madison–94 (13)

2. App State–70 (1)

3. Coastal Carolina–69

4. Georgia Southern–55

5. Old Dominion–54

6. Marshall–29

7. Georgia State–21

West Division

1. South Alabama - 93 (10)

2. Texas State–77 (3)

3. Troy–71

4. Southern Miss–51

5. Louisiana–47

6. Arkansas State–37 (1) 7. ULM–16