RICHARDSON, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville Volleyball team was tabbed to finish third in the Lone Star Conference for the 2023 campaign as announced in the league's annual preseason poll.
The ranking marks a seven spot improvement over last year's preseason ranking and comes off a 2022 season that saw the Javelinas go 20-10 on the year and 12-4 in conference play going a perfect 9-0 inside the Steinke Physical Education Center.
Additionally, Ayanna Jackson, Elisa Carli, and Jackie Alanis were selected as preseason players to watch by the conference.
Jackson adds the accolade after being named an All-American in just her sophomore season in 2022, ranking in the top-30 nationally in hitting percentage at .308 while logging 360 kills throughout the 2022 campaign. Additionally, she served as the Blue and Gold blocks leader, sending back 105 of the opposition's attacks over 112 sets for a 0.94 average.
Carli, appeared in 104 sets across 30 matches last season recording 480 assists, the second-highest mark on the team behind only Sydney Whitmire.
Senior outside hitter Alanis led TAMUK in kills last season recording 387 while starting every match for the Blue and Gold averaging 3.46 kills per set.
The reigning national champions in West Texas A&M were selected to repeat as conference champions earning 42 of 45 possible first-place votes. West Texas A&M is coming off a 33-4 season which included an unblemished conference record (16-0) and 20th LSC title enroute to the 2022 NCAA Division II national title. West Texas A&M carries a 26-game winning streak into the new season.
UT Tyler totaled 644 points and the No. 2 spot in the preseason poll while Texas A&M-Kingsville was voted third with 590 points. Dallas Baptist, the 2022 LSC runner-up, received two first-place votes and 564 points for fourth place. Angelo State rounds out the preseason top five with 519 points.
St. Mary's (494) edged Texas A&M International (493) for the sixth spot while UAFS (468), Texas Woman's (395) and Lubbock Christian (382) listed eight through 10, respectively. Oklahoma Christian, St. Edward's, UT Permian Basin, Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State, Western New Mexico and Cameron complete the predicted order of the 2023 season standings.
The 2023 season will start on Sept. 1 on as the Javs take on Ouachita Baptist in the TAMUK Invitational beginning at 11 a.m.
Fans can follow Javelina volleyball all season long via Javelinaathletics.com, where they'll find links to live video and stats and a recap at the end of each match. Stay up-to-date with everything related to Javelina volleyball all season long by following @Javelina_VB and @JavelinaSports on Twitter, @JavelinaVB and @JavelinaSports on Instagram, liking TAMUK Volleyball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com
