FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas volleyball team has been picked to finish seventh in the Southeastern Conference with Tuesday’s release of the league’s preseason coaches’ poll. The Razorbacks begin their 2014 season Aug. 29-30 with the Arkansas Invitational at Barnhill Arena. The team conference schedule begins Sept. 26 with a home match against Tennessee.
Heading into its seventh year under the direction of head coach Robert Pulliza, Arkansas received 87 points in the vote, just two points behind Texas A&M for sixth place in the preseason poll. Florida was chosen as the preseason favorite while reigning SEC champion Missouri landed third in Tuesday’s release. The top eight teams in the preseason poll advanced to last year’s NCAA Tournament.
The Razorbacks return 11 student-athletes from last year’s team that earned an at-large selection into the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Arkansas enters the season off back-to-back NCAA appearances. Among the returners, Meredith Hays was a 2013 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention performer and is the team’s lone senior this season. Pulliza welcomes nine newcomers to the 2014 roster.
Fans will get their first look at this year’s team Aug. 17 when the Razorbacks host their annual Red-White scrimmage at Barnhill Arena. The inter-squad event will begin at 4 p.m. (CT) following Football Fan Day and is open to the public. Arkansas is slated to face six teams either ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA preseason Top 25, including opening-weekend opponent Michigan.
Season tickets for the 2014 campaign are currently on sale. Starting at $40, each season-ticket package includes a free knit hat. For more information, call 1-800-982-4647, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com or stop by the Razorback Ticket Center next to Baum Stadium.
For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Twitter.