Gators Second in SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Thursday, June 28, 2018 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The defending Southeastern Conference co-champion Florida earned the No. 2 ranking in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Thursday.
Florida, who finished 30-2 overall and 17-1 in SEC play to win its 23rd conference title last season, garnered five of the 13 first-place votes and totaled 137 points, just three points behind Kentucky for first place.
The Gators also boasted one Preseason All-SEC selection in sophomore middle blocker, Rachael Kramer. She is a one-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Third Team All-American and also earned a spot on the All-SEC team during the 2017 season. Kramer finished her sophomore campaign 13th in the nation in hitting percentage with a .402 clip.
UF lost five seniors to graduation, but brings in the second-ranked recruiting class for the 2018 season. The incoming class includes Thayer Hall, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the country.
Florida will play 15 home matches this year, including two Invitationals – Bubly Invitational and Honda of Gainesville Gator Invitational. Four 2017 NCAA qualifiers (USC, Louisville, Missouri and LSU) will make their way to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
Florida opens the 2018 season with the VERT Challenge in Lincoln, Neb. The Gators face Nebraska in a rematch of the 2017 National Championship match on Aug. 24, followed by a match against 2016 national champions Texas on Aug. 25.
Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
Volleyball Preseason All-SEC Team
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Florida, who finished 30-2 overall and 17-1 in SEC play to win its 23rd conference title last season, garnered five of the 13 first-place votes and totaled 137 points, just three points behind Kentucky for first place.
The Gators also boasted one Preseason All-SEC selection in sophomore middle blocker, Rachael Kramer. She is a one-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Third Team All-American and also earned a spot on the All-SEC team during the 2017 season. Kramer finished her sophomore campaign 13th in the nation in hitting percentage with a .402 clip.
UF lost five seniors to graduation, but brings in the second-ranked recruiting class for the 2018 season. The incoming class includes Thayer Hall, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the country.
Florida will play 15 home matches this year, including two Invitationals – Bubly Invitational and Honda of Gainesville Gator Invitational. Four 2017 NCAA qualifiers (USC, Louisville, Missouri and LSU) will make their way to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
Florida opens the 2018 season with the VERT Challenge in Lincoln, Neb. The Gators face Nebraska in a rematch of the 2017 National Championship match on Aug. 24, followed by a match against 2016 national champions Texas on Aug. 25.
Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
| Place | School | Points |
| 1. | Kentucky (8) | 140 |
| 2. | Florida (5) | 137 |
| 3. | Missouri | 116 |
| 4. | Georgia | 105 |
| LSU | 105 | |
| 6. | Auburn | 78 |
| 7. | Arkansas | 71 |
| 8. | Texas A&M | 65 |
| 9. | South Carolina | 62 |
| 10. | Tennessee | 54 |
| 11. | Ole Miss | 40 |
| 12. | Alabama | 29 |
| 13. | Mississippi State | 12 |
Volleyball Preseason All-SEC Team
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