DENVER – The New Mexico State volleyball team was voted by the league's head coaches as the favorites to win the Western Athletic Conference, as announced on Tuesday. Additionally, Savannah Davison, Megan Hart, and Julianna Salanoa were named to the Preseason All-WAC Team.

The Aggies finished second during the regular season before claiming the 2018 WAC Tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament last year. The team went 24-8 with a 12-4 record against league opponents during the banner season.

Davison earned her first-ever preseason honor following a fantastic freshman campaign. The outside hitter was named to the All-WAC Freshman Team after she posted 3.08 kills per set during league play to rank eighth in the WAC and her 3.40 points per set was good enough for 10^th. Davison was also named to the WAC All-Tournament Team, having led the Aggies in kills during both tournament matches.

Hart picked up her second preseason honor in 2019. The middle blocker received All-WAC First Team distinction when she closed out league play with a .387 hitting clip, which ranked second in the conference. She also averaged 1.12 blocks, putting her seventh in the league. Hart was outstanding during NM State's WAC Tournament run and tallied a double-double in the title match before being named the Most Valuable Player of the postseason tournament.

Salanoa collected her first ever preseason honor following a stellar sophomore campaign. The middle blocker finished third in the league for hitting percentage (.384) and fourth for blocks (1.22) during WAC matches. At Grand Canyon, she set the program record for hitting percentage in a four-set match, recording a .722  clip against the Lopes. Salanoa also led the Aggie squad with 15 kills during the team's match at Oregon during the NCAA Tournament.

The reigning WAC Tournament champions received 60 total points, including four first-place votes, to earn the top spot in the poll. Following closely behind the Aggies was Utah Valley, as the Wolverines finished in second place with 55 points and three first-place votes, just ahead of Kansas City in third with 52 points and the other two first-place votes. California Baptist and UT Rio Grande Valley tied for fourth place with 41 points each. CSU Bakersfield was selected in sixth place with 26 points, while Grand Canyon was seventh with 22 points. Seattle U and Chicago State rounded out the poll with 13 points and 10 points, respectively.

Fans can get their first look at the preseason favorites when the team hosts its annual Crimson and White scrimmage at the Pan American Center on Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. MT. Admission is free for all those in attendance.

The Aggies officially begin their season when the team heads to the War Eagle Invitational from Aug. 30-31. NM State is set to face off against Butler, Tennessee State and the host squad Auburn during the two-day tournament.

Season tickets for Aggie volleyball are available for $50 online at ticketmaster.com and fans can also call toll free at 833-AGGIEUP. New Mexico State faculty and staff are able to purchase season tickets at a discounted rate. Additionally, fans can also acquire season tickets by purchasing an Aggie Country Pass.
 

2019 Preseason Coaches' Poll

2019 Preseason All-WAC Team

Preseason Player of the Year: Tyrecia Lukes, Kansas City