OVC volleyball coaches pick Otahks second behind UTM

Southeast Missouri State University volleyball coach Cindy Gannon can't argue with Tennessee-Martin being the overwhelming preseason Ohio Valley Conference favorite.

But Gannon hopes her team can prove the rest of the conference coaches wrong.

Defending OVC champion UT-Martin received seven of nine first-place votes in the preseason coaches' poll released Thursday. Southeast was picked second in a tight race with Morehead State as the squads split the remaining two first-place votes.

Eastern Illinois was fourth, followed by Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and Tennessee State.

"Tennessee-Martin's group has been together for a few years and they've got everybody back," Gannon said. "They deserve to be ranked where they are. They had a great team last year and they are the team to beat.

"But we have some very talented players and I think we'll be solid. I hope we can prove the rest of the coaches wrong."

The Otahkians were fourth last season and finished out of the top three for the first time since joining the OVC in 1991. Southeast, 15-14 overall a year ago, has won seven of the past nine conference championships.

With all six starters back and bolstered by what Gannon believes is a strong recruiting class, she expects no repeat of last year.

"Last season was disappointing for everybody, but we've got a good group returning and a very solid freshmen class," she said. "My players were disappointed in themselves last year but they worked extremely hard in the spring and they're very committed. I think we have a lot to look forward to."

Along with the coaches' poll, the preseason all-conference teams were released Thursday. Southeast senior Bobbi Carlile made the first squad after being a second-team selection following last season.

Also for Southeast, senior Jessica Haupt and junior Emily Scannell made the preseason second team. Scannell was a second-team pick last year.

The Otahkians start practice Saturday. They open the season Aug. 30 against Arkansas in the Southwest Missouri State Tournament.