August 19, 2008-Despite being picked to finish fifth in the MIAA Coaches Preseason Poll, the Emporia State volleyball team has secured a #11 national ranking in the CBS College Sports Network/AVCA Division II Coaches Preseason Top 25. It is the highest ranking ever for the Hornets, whose previous all-time high ranking was #14 on Nov. 19, 2007. ESU is one of five MIAA teams in the top 20.

The Hornets return five starters and their libero from last year's 27-9 team, including All-American Arica Shepard and MIAA Freshman of the Year Ting Liu.

ESU opens the season on August 29 at the UNO Comfort Inn & Suites/Fire Water Grille Tournament. The home opener will be September 17 against defending MIAA Champion and #3 ranked Truman. ESU has a total of 11 matches scheduled against teams that are ranked in the Top 25 or receiving votes.

Season tickets for the 2008 season are on sale now through the ESU Athletic Ticketing Office at 341-NEST or toll free at 877-341-6378.

CBS College Sports Network/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll

2008 PRESEASON POLL: August 19, 2008

Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2007 Record 2007 Final Rank

1 Concordia-St. Paul (35) 897 36-4 1

2 Washburn 830 38-4 3

3 Truman 780 36-6 8

4 Cal State San Bernardino 762 27-3 9

5 West Texas A&M 736 36-8 6

6 Grand Valley State 716 33-4 7

7 Tampa 693 31-3 4

8 Minnesota Duluth 630 29-2 5

9 Florida Southern 581 26-9 13

10 Western Washington (1) 555 26-5 2

11 Emporia State 498 27-9 15

12 Southwest Minnesota State 474 26-8 12

13 Central Missouri 443 31-7 10

14 Nebraska-Kearney 416 33-5 19

15 Lewis 372 32-4 11

16 Indianapolis 339 33-4 17

17 Pittsburg State 320 28-9 18

18 Hillsdale 298 26-8 16

19 Minnesota State 248 19-9 21

20 Augustana (S.D.) 194 19-11 24

21 Ashland 178 25-6 20

22 UC San Diego 158 20-8 22

23 West Florida 99 26-4 NR

24 Nova Southeastern 81 28-10 NR

25 Chico State 63 16-13 NR

Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots: Lynn 49; Saint Leo 45; California (Pa.) 32; Hawai?i Pacific 30; Cal Poly Pomona 25; Central Oklahoma 24; Dowling 22; Cal State L.A. 20; Nebraska-Omaha 19; Northern Kentucky 19; Hawai?i - Hilo 11; Wingate 10; Northwest Nazarene 9.

Eight schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of 24 points.