PROVO, Utah - The BYU men's volleyball team collected 115 points and six of the 11 possible first place votes to take the No. 1 spot in the 2012 MPSF Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Both the point and first-place point totals for the Cougars are the most in the annual poll since 2007 in MPSF history, when eventual national champion UC Irvine posted 121 points and seven top votes.
The Cougars are coming off a 20-win season last year, a 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 2011 conference newcomer of the year Taylor Sander. The team consists of four talented newcomers to compliment a core of 17 returning players.
BYU's 2012 season begins Jan. 6 and 7 in Santa Barbara, Calif., and the Cougars will play their first home match on Jan. 20 against USC.
| Rank | Team | Points (First-Place Votes) | 2011 Record | 2011 MPSF Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYU | 115 (6) | 20-8 overall; 16-6 MPSF | #2 (MPSF Quarters) |
| 2 | UC Irvine | 112 (4) | 19-12 overall; 14-8 MPSF | #4 (MPSF Semi) |
| 3 | Stanford | 92 (1) | 19-9 overall; 15-7 MPSF | #3 (MPSF Quarters) |
| 4 | UCLA | 90 (1) | 16-15 overall; 9-13 MPSF | #8 (MPSF Quarters) |
| 5 | USC | 72 | 23-4 overall; 20-2 MPSF | #1 (MPSF Finals) |
| T6 | Long Beach State | 68 | 15-14 overall; 12-10 MPSF | #6 (MPSF Semi) |
| T6 | CS Northridge | 68 | 7-22 overall; 5-17 MPSF | #10T |
| 8 | Pepperdine | 62 | 11-15 overall; 7-15 | #9 |
| 9 | Hawaii | 44 | 15-13 overall; 13-9 MPSF | #5 (MPSF Quarters) |
| 10 | UC Santa Barbara | 32 | 18-15 overall; 11-11 MPSF | #7 (MPSF Champ) |
| 11 | Pacific | 26 | 11-19 overall; 5-17 MPSF | #10T |
| 12 | UC San Diego | 11 | 9-20 overall; 5-17 MPSF | #10T |