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[August 2, 2007] MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Five-time defending champion Harding collected five first-place votes on its way to 35 points in being picked again to win the Gulf South Conference West Division championship, according to the 2007 GSC volleyball pre-season coaches’ poll released Thursday. Henderson State picked up the other two first-place votes and finished with 32 points for second place. Southern Arkansas garnered one fourth, two fifth, and three sixth-place votes to total 10 points for sixth in the poll. Ouachita Baptist finished third (23) in the poll, Arkansas Tech was fourth (21), Arkansas-Monticello fifth (16), and Christian Brothers picked up nine points to finish behind the Lady Muleriders in the seventh spot. North Alabama, the overall GSC champion last year, and 11-time defending East Division champion, received two first-place votes and 32 points to once again defend their East title. UNA has won the overall GSC championship 10 of the last 11 years and 16 times total. West Florida received three first-place votes in the East and 31 points for the second-place spot. West Georgia gathered the other two first-place votes and was third (29), Valdosta State was picked fourth (20), Alabama-Huntsville fifth (14), Montevallo sixth (13), and West Alabama was picked seventh (10). For the overall championship, North Alabama received six votes, West Florida four, and Harding and West Georgia two each. A total of 18 athletes were named to the two division Pre-Season All-GSC Team, including 12 that made all-conference last year. Arkansas Tech, Harding, Henderson State, North Alabama, West Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia each had two members on the teams, while Alabama-Huntsville, Arkansas-Monticello, Montevallo, and Ouachita Baptist had one each. SAU had two named to the 2007 Top Newcomers list, Cristina Correa and Kourtney Neal. Correa is a 5-10 junior middle blocker from Houston, Texas, who transferred in from Division I DePaul (Ill.) University, and Neal is a 5-6 junior setter from Mineola, Texas and Seminole State (Okla.) College. Southern Arkansas reports August 10 and opens their 2007 season Tuesday, August 28th in Tyler, Texas, at Texas College. The Lady Muleriders open GSC play in their home-opener Tuesday, September 18 against Harding. #SAU# |
