USU Volleyball Tabbed Fourth in Mountain West Preseason Poll

Utah State [University] volleyball was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's 11 coaches and announced Tuesday [Aug. 20] by the conference office. The Aggies received 68 points and were predicted to finish fourth in their first season in the Mountain West after eight seasons in the Western Athletic Conference.

San Diego State, the 2012 MW co-champions with Colorado State, collected nine first-place votes and 99 total points. The Rams were selected to finish second with 90 points and received the two remaining first-place votes. Five points separated the third through sixth spots, with UNLV edging out newcomer Utah State for third with 70 points to the Aggies' 68. New Mexico and Fresno State were separated by one point as the Lobos earned 66 points for the No. 5 spot, while the Bulldogs were sixth with 65. Boise State landed in seventh with 51 points, followed by Wyoming in eighth with 37, newcomer San José State in ninth with 27, Air Force in 10th with 17, while Nevada rounded out the poll with 15.

“Preseason polls are a nice way to get everyone excited about the upcoming volleyball season,” said USU head coach Grayson DuBose. “We are looking forward to our first year in the Mountain West Conference. It will be a great challenge for our team."

San Diego State senior Johnna Fouch has been named the 2013 MW Preseason Player of the Year and the designated setter on the seven-member all-MW Preseason Team. Fouch is joined on the preseason team by fellow Aztec Raegan Shelton, New Mexico teammates Chantale Riddle and Miquella Lovato and Colorado State setter Deedra Foss. Fresno State's Korrin Wild and UNLV's Madeline Westman round out the list of preseason honorees as selected by the head coaches. Six of the seven members are returning 2012 all-MW team members. Fouch and Riddle also are returning honorable mention All-Americas.

USU hosted its annual Blue-White Scrimmage Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum as part of the Aggies' preparation for the 2013 season. Former Aggie players Amy Crosbie and Erin Cartwright-Davis were guest coaches.

DuBose is starting his eighth season at the helm of the Aggie program, leading USU into its first season in the MW after eight seasons in the WAC. DuBose and the Aggies return five starters and eight letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a milestone season with a 21-9 overall record and a 15-3 league record. Utah State won its first-ever WAC regular-season title to go with its 2010 WAC Tournament championship in its eighth and final season in the league.

Utah State's first action of the 2013 season is Aug. 30-31 at the University of Utah Tournament. The Aggies then play at the University of Portland Nike Invitational Sept. 6-7, before playing at in-state foe Weber State Sept. 10. USU then plays at the Duke University Tournament Sept. 13-14.

The Aggies will officially kick off the home schedule by hosting Boise State Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., in USU's MW debut.

The 2013 USU volleyball team will hold a free skills clinic Saturday, Aug. 24. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at the west entrance of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and the clinic will run from 10 a.m. to noon.

The clinic, which is for children under the age of 14 and adults who are at least 18, will focus on basic volleyball technique as well as providing up-to-date information on rule changes in the collegiate game. All participants will receive a free USU Volleyball T-shirt and the team will be available for autographs following the clinic.

Utah State volleyball tickets are available by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

Fans can also follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, on Facebook or on instagram. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter or on Facebook.

2013 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM

Preseason Player of the Year:  Johnna Fouch, San Diego State

2013 MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL COACHES' POLL

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.