Oklahoma City – After claiming the 2023 Sooner Athletic Conference regular season title, Nelson University claimed the top spot in the 2024 SAC Volleyball Preseason Poll as voted on by the league's head coaches.
The Lions garnered the top position in the poll with 116 points while grabbing six first-place votes after finishing last season with an overall mark of 24-8 and a league record of 19-1 before falling to Texas Wesleyan in the conference tournament final. Nelson advanced to the NAIA National Tournament and was defeated in the opening round.
The Rams earned the second spot in the poll with 104 points as they garnered three first-place nods. Texas Wesleyan finished the regular season last year with an overall record of 26-6 and a league mark of 18-2 before winning the conference tournament championship. The Rams also advanced to the NAIA National Tournament last season.
John Brown claimed the third spot on the preseason list with 95 points as they also earned one first-place vote after finishing last season with an overall record of 21-11 and a conference mark of 14-6.
Mid-America Christian grabbed the fourth position in the poll with 93 points while Oklahoma City rounds out the top five in the fifth spot with 89 points and two first-place votes.
The SAC also welcomes the College of the Ozarks to the conference as they will begin their journey in league play with volleyball.
2024 SAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Nelson 166 (6)
- Texas Wesleyan 104 (3)
- John Brown 95 (1)
- Mid-America Christian 93
- Oklahoma City 89 (2)
- Wayland Baptist 69
- College of the Ozarks 58
- Panhandle State 49
- Science & Arts 48
- Central Christian 36
- Southwestern Christian 22
- Langston 14
* First Place Votes in Parenthesis
The fall season will begin on Friday, August 16 with a full slate of games set to be played on Saturday, August 17.