Aug. 29, 2007

RICHARDSON, Texas - Despite being the reigning American Southwest Conference champion, Hardin-Simmons' volleyball team was picked to finish second in the ASC West Division in a vote of the league's coaches and sports information directors. Senior outside hitter Chelsea Buetow was picked the preseason ASC West offensive player of the year.

Texas Lutheran totaled 95 points and received 11 of the possible 14 first place votes to land the favorite spot in the West Division. TLU won the ASC West last year with a 15-3 record.

HSU totaled 84 points. New head coach Sabrina Bingham's club picked up the remaining three first place votes. Schreiner University landed in the third spot with 61 points.

Sul Ross State (45 points) was fourth, followed by McMurry University (40), Howard Payne University (38) and Concordia University Texas (29) to round out the West.

East Texas Baptist and UT-Dallas were picked as co-favorites in the East.

HSU opens its season on Friday at the UTD Tournament.