CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For the first time ever, the Southland Conference released a preseason poll for its competing beach volleyball members and the reigning SLC Champions of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beach volleyball program was predicted to repeat as announced by the league office on Friday.
With seven first-place votes, the Islanders are the 2023 Southland preseason favorites after coming off a 21-13 season including going 11-0 against SLC opponents to lead them to the 2022 Southland Tournament Championship and earn their first automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In addition, four student-athletes were tabbed to the Southland's "Players to Watch" list. It recognizes graduate student
Kiley Lewis, senior
Giuliana Poletti Corrales, and juniors
Tori Johnson and
Shea Slusser. All four were named to All-Conference Teams last season.
This year, the Islanders will play host for the Southland Conference Championships, scheduled for April 21-23 at Water's Edge Park, for the chance to defend their title at home. It will feature Southland newcomers Boise State and San Jose State, who joined the league as affiliate members.
"Although we appreciate the preseason votes of confidence, we know it is the starting point of a season that has to be earned," said head coach
Gayle Stammer. "I am excited that San Jose State and Boise State have joined the SLC and cannot wait to compete against everyone!
"I am looking forward to the SLC Mid-Season Tournament in March, which will seed us into the Conference Championships here in Corpus Christi. We are looking forward to the season ahead of us!"
The 2023 season will get underway next weekend when the Islanders head to Houston for the Third Coast College Classic, hosted by HCU who was picked second in the preseason poll with four first-place votes.
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