BYU Tops 2012 MPSF Men's Volleyball Coaches' Poll
Dec. 7, 2011
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Brigham Young University collected 115 points and six of 11 possible first place votes in taking the No. 1 spot in the 2012 MPSF Men's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Both of the point and first place totals for the Cougars are the most in the annual poll since 2007, when eventual national champion UC Irvine posted 121 points and seven top votes. The Cougars are coming off a 20-win season, second place MPSF finish, and an undefeated regular season at home. Three All-Americans are expected to highlight the roster with middle blocker Futi Tavana, opposite Robb Stowell, and conference newcomer of the year and outside hitter Taylor Sander. Four coaches placed UCI in first place, as the Anteaters finished in a close second with 112 points. MPSF Semifinalists a year ago, All-American opposite Carson Clark returns, as do Austin D' Amore and all-freshman honoree Scott Kevorken in the middle. Jeremy Dejno and Kevin Carroll are also back on the outside. With a veteran roster, Stanford took third in the poll with 92 points and one first place vote. 2010 MPSF Player of the Year Brad Lawson and libero Erik Shoji own five All-American honors between them. Eric Mochalski returns from an all-freshman season, after posting Stanford's all-time record in single-season hitting percentage. UCLA also had a first place vote and 90 points to place fourth, as legendary head coach Al Scates makes his 50th and final run. The Bruins should be particularly strong in the middle, led by Thomas Amberg in addition to the nation's top hitter last year, Wes Dunlap (.446). On the heels of an MPSF Finals and NCAA Tournament appearance, USC took fifth with 72 points. The Trojans won 20 of their 22 conference matches last year, returning All-Americans Tony Ciarelli on the outside and Henry Cassiday in the back row. Long Beach State and Northridge tied for the six spot with 68 points apiece, while Pepperdine's 62 points were more than enough to be projected as a postseason conference tournament participant. The preseason poll was rounded out by Hawaii in ninth with 44 points, defending MPSF Tournament Champion UC Santa Barbara in 10th with 32 points, followed by Pacific and UC San Diego with 26 and 11 points, respectively. The regular season opens on January 4, while conference action begins when UCSD visits Hawaii on Jan. 5-6. UCSB also hosts its annual early season tournament Jan. 6-7, with eight of the 12 MPSF teams competing.
1. BYU 115 (6)
2. UC Irvine 112 (4)
3. Stanford 92 (1)
4. UCLA 90 (1)
5. USC 72
T6. Long Beach State 68
T6. CS Northridge 68
8. Pepperdine 62
9. Hawaii 44
10. UC Santa Barbara 32
11. Pacific 26
12. UC San Diego 11