DENVER, COLO. – Defending Western Athletic Conference volleyball champion Hawai‘i has been selected in a poll by the league’s coaches to defend its crown in 2007 and take home its 12th-straight regular-season title.
The Rainbow Wahine received eight of the nine first-place votes with San Jose State earning the other first-place vote. Hawai‘i earned 64 total points followed by New Mexico State with 55. San Jose State under the direction of new head coach Oscar Crespo finished tied for third with Idaho with 44 points. Nevada was picked fifth with 36, while Boise State was picked sixth with 30. Utah State finished in seventh place with 22 points with Fresno State earning 20 points, good for eighth. Louisiana Tech was picked ninth with nine points.
Hawai‘i is coming off a 29-6 season in 2006 that saw the Rainbow Wahine earn their 11th-consecutive WAC regular-season title with a 15-1 record. Hawai‘i also captured its seventh WAC Tournament title. The Rainbow Wahine advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals before losing to UCLA. New Mexico State also advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2006.
The 2007 WAC season begins August 24 with all nine teams in action. After five seasons in Reno, the WAC Volleyball Tournament moves to Las Cruces, N.M. on the campus of New Mexico State. The nine-team tournament will be held November 15-17.
2007 WAC Coaches’ Poll
Rank Team Points
1. Hawai‘i (8) 64
2. New Mexico State 55
3. San Jose State (1) 44
Idaho 44
5. Nevada 36
6. Boise State 30
7. Utah State 22
8. Fresno State 20
9. Louisiana Tech 9
