This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
BYU's women's volleyball and women's soccer teams will both be nationally ranked when they begin competition later this month. Monday, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) ranked BYU's women's volleyball team No. 9 in the country in its preseason poll. Hopes are high for a phenomenal season in Provo because of the return of All-American Jennifer Hamson, who redshirted last year to concentrate on basketball. Although she was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in April's WNBA Draft, Hamson spent the summer working with USA Volleyball and will fulfill a promise made last year to return to the BYU volleyball team for her final season of eligibility. The Cougars finished the 2013 season ranked No. 13 and reached the regional semifinals of the 2013 NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year. They went 24-7 overall, 15-3 in the West Coast Conference. Another WCC team, San Diego, is ranked No. 14 in the AVCA poll. BYU's first home opponent, Washington, is ranked No. 4. BYU's women's soccer team is ranked No. 22 in the country. The Cougars will conduct their annual Blue-White game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at South Field. Admission is free. On Saturday, the Cougars will play host to a BYU alumni team at 7 p.m. at South Field. The regular season begins Aug. 22 at Cal State Fullerton, while the home opener is Aug. 25 against Washington State.