Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Tabbed Third in WAC Coaches' Preseason Poll
7/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 1, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State, which finished fourth in the Western Athletic Conference's Western Division last season, was tabbed third in the 2002 WAC Volleyball Coaches' Preseason poll released this morning. The Bulldogs return five starters and ten letterwinners from a 14-10 team that made its fourth straight trip to the WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament.
One of three programs to participate in all four WAC volleyball championships, the Bulldogs will be spearheaded by senior second team all-WAC outside hitter Christy Burnett (Fallbrook, Calif.), senior middle blocker Java Johnson (Fresno, Calif.) and sophomore second team all-WAC setter Whitney Arena (West Linn, Ore.).
Having ranked among the WAC's top ten in digs, Burnett also appeared in the league's top ten in hitting, kills per game and service aces. Starting all 24 matches Burnett, who led all Bulldogs with nine double-doubles in 2001, returns as the team's top offensive (231 kills, 2.69 kpg) and defensive (297 digs, 3.45 dpg) leader.
Johnson, who helped to the Bulldogs to national notoriety in blocking last season as the team finished 21st in the final release of the NCAA stats, will be the force at the net for the 'Dogs. Finishing second on the team in total blocks (98, 1.27 bpg) in 2001, Johnson had at least one block in every match but three and played in all 24 matches.
Arena, who started all 24 matches, ranked among the WAC's top 10 in assists and dished out 997 while averaging nearly 12 assists per game (11.87). Arena became the second freshman to receive all-WAC recognition but the first Bulldog to be actually named to a team. As the third Bulldog overall to garner all-conference honors, Arena recorded 40 or more assists 12 times, 50 or more assists seven times and 60 or more assists four times.
Defending Western Athletic Conference volleyball champion Hawai`i is the favorite by the league's coaches to defend its crown in 2001 and take home its seventh-straight regular-season title.
Hawai`i earned nine first-place votes and tallied 81 points to top the poll. San Jose State finished in second place with 68 points and one first place. Rice totaled 59 points for fourth place while Nevada finished 51 points, followed by SMU (41), UTEP (33), Tulsa (30), Louisiana Tech (14) and Boise State (13).
Hawai`i is coming off a 29-6 season in 2001 that saw the Rainbow Wahine earn their sixth-consecutive WAC regular-season title with a 13-0 record. Hawai'i also captured its second WAC Tournament title. With a final ranking of No. 13 by USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25, the Rainbow Wahine advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals before losing to UCLA, 3-1.
San Jose State ended the 2001 season with a 25-8 overall record, 9-4 in the Western Division, good for a second place tie with Nevada, and a No. 24 national ranking. The Spartans advanced to their 12th NCAA Tournament. San Jose State won its first round match with Santa Clara, 3-2, before falling to eventual champions Stanford, 3-0.
Fresno State opens its 2002 season on the road in Williamsburg, Va., Aug. 30-31, when the Bulldogs participate in the William & Mary Tournament. The 'Dogs open play against Furman, East Carolina, Radford and host William & Mary.
2002 WAC Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Hawai'i (9) 81 pts.
2. San Jose State (1) 68 pts.
3. Fresno State 60 pts.
4. Rice 59 pts.
5. Nevada 51 pts.
6. SMU 41 pts.
7. UTEP 33 pts.
8. Tulsa 30 pts.
9. Louisiana Tech 14 pts.
10. Boise State 3 pts.
( ) denotes first place votes
coaches cannot vote for their own school
