VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State volleyball team was picked ninth in the 2022 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the league office Tuesday.
Defending Gulf South Conference tournament champions West Florida leads the poll with 121 points and 11 first-place votes while Alabama Huntsville is second with 108 points.
Montevallo comes in third on the table, snagging the final first-place vote and 93 total points, while Shorter (84) and Union (81) round out the top five.
Mississippi College (73), Auburn Montgomery (69) and West Georgia (55) follow Union, while the Blazers were picked ninth in the poll with 40 total points and Lee (33) is tenth. West Alabama (19) sits 11th and Christian Brothers (16) round out the poll for 12th.
In addition to the poll, sophomore JoJo Smith was named to the Preseason All-GSC Team. Last season, Smith was named the GSC Freshman of the Year, while also earning First Team All-GSC accolades.
In 2021, Smith played in 79 sets and started 22 out of 23 matches played, tallied 293 kills on 802 total attacks, 153 digs, 30 block assists, 10 solo blocks, 21 service aces, and had six assists. She scored 339 points and recorded five double-doubles on the season and named GSC Freshman of the Week four times.
Head Coach Kaleigh Zoucha and the Blazers start the 2022 campaign at Saint Anselm on Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in Manchester, N.H., and will open the home slate on Aug. 31 against Clark Atlanta at 6 p.m. inside The Complex.
For all updates on Blazer Volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Valdosta State Athletics on social media.
GSC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. West Florida (11) – 121
2. Alabama Huntsville – 108
3. Montevallo (1) – 93
4. Shorter – 84
5. Union – 81
6. Mississippi College – 73
7. Auburn Montgomery – 69
8. West Georgia – 55
9. Valdosta State – 40
10. Lee – 33
11. West Alabama – 19
12. Christian Brothers – 16
