BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — West Florida was named the favorite to win the 2022 Gulf South Conference, per the conference's preseason volleyball poll as voted by the league's head coaches.
PRESEASON ALL-GSC TEAM | NEWCOMER WATCH LIST | 2022 SCHEDULE
The Argonauts, who were 16-0 in conference play and 35-2 overall, amassed 121 total points and were the unanimous choice receiving all 11 possible first-place votes in the preseason poll. West Florida has won the GSC tournament crown 10 times since 2008, including the last four consecutive titles.
Alabama Huntsville was tabbed second with 108 points. Montevallo placed third with 93 points and one first-place vote, while Shorter was picked fourth with 84 points and Union rounded out the top five with 81 points. Mississippi College was sixth with 73 points, followed by Auburn Montgomery (69) and West Georgia (55). Valdosta State (40) was picked ninth, while Lee (33), West Alabama (19) and Christian Brothers (16) followed in order to round out the poll.
The GSC head coaches also selected a Preseason All-GSC team, which was highlighted by last season's Setter of the Year Taylor Vaneekeren from West Florida and Valdosta State's Jojo Smith, who was named 2021 Freshman of Year.
The 2022 GSC volleyball season will begin on Thursday, Aug. 25, with conference play set to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The conference tournament meanwhile is slated to begin Monday, Nov. 7 with first round action and continue Nov. 11-13 with second round, semifinal and championship matches hosted by the No. 1-seed.
GSC Preseason Coaches Poll
First-place votes in ( )
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
GSC Preseason All-GSC Team
S — Taylor Vaneekeren, West Florida
OH/MB — Emily Grace Calhoun, Union
OH — Lacee Glover, Shorter
OH — Jojo Smith, Valdosta State
MB — Allie Dishman, Montevallo
OPP — Lexie Laurendine, Mississippi College
S — Jordan Vick, Union
OH — Emilee Harris, West Georgia
MB — Lydia Paulette, Mississippi College
OH — Kendall Platt, Mississippi College