MPSF coaches tab UCI fifth in preseason poll

The UC Irvine men’s volleyball team was picked to finish fifth among 12 teams in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation preseason coaches poll.

The Anteaters, one of six schools to receive at least one first-place vote, finished with 80 points, behind Pepperdine and UCLA (104 points each), Long Beach State (87) and Cal State Northridge (84). Pepperdine received four first-place votes, with two each going to UCLA, Long Beach and Northridge.

UCI was 16-15 last season, 11-11 in the MPSF. Coach John Speraw’s squad advanced to the quarterfinals of the MPSF tournament.

UCI plays host to the University of Alberta (Canada) in an exhibition match on Dec. 31. UCI opens its regular season Jan. 7 at Cal Baptist.

— From staff reports