LEXINGTON, KY – Cal State L.A.’s volleyball team has been ranked 14th in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Top-25 poll released on Wednesday.
The Golden Eagles finished the 2009 season ranked 15th in the nation after recording a 23-9 record that included playoff wins over Sonoma State and UC San Diego. Cal State L.A. advanced to the West Region championship match for the first time since 2005 after reaching the NCAA playoffs for a sixth straight season.
Cal State L.A. is one of four California Collegiate Athletic Association programs to be included in the national poll. Cal State San Bernardino, which beat the Golden Eagles in the regional championship match and advanced to the national semi-finals, is ranked second, UC San Diego is eighth and Sonoma State is 21st.
Hawaii-Hilo is 23rd and Alaska Anchorage is 24th, giving the West Region six teams in the top-25. Western Washington received votes, but was not in the top-25.
Second-year head coach Randi Smart welcomes back 10 players, including five starters, from last year’s team. Three of those players – junior middle blocker Mary Laupepa, senior outside hitter Zuzana Cizova and sophomore middle blocker Marquis Mora – earned All-CCAA honors last year. Laupepa earned first-team All-Conference recognition, while Cizova and Mora earned second-team honors. Cizova was also named the CCAA Newcomer of the Year.
Stefanie Gay, who set a new program record for digs last season, is also back for her senior season, while senior Kassie Faulkner and junior Chelsea Hamilton also return after seeing significant playing time last season.
Cal State L.A. will open its 2010 season on Thursday, Sept. 2 with a home match against Northwood (MI) in the three-day Cal State L.A./Cal Poly Pomona Invitational.