DENTON, Texas - The North Texas volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the West Division of the annual Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday.

"This poll just shows how the rest of the Sun Belt perceives North Texas volleyball over the last couple of years," said NT head coach Ken Murczek. "It's our job to change that perception with our play on the court, and we get our first opportunity to do that this weekend in Jackson."

The Mean Green takes on Southeastern Louisiana in the first match of the Murczek era on Friday at 3:30 p.m. NT will also face Jackson State and New Orleans on Saturday.

PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL

EAST
1. Middle Tennessee - 66 points (6 first place votes)
2. FIU - 63 points (5 first place votes)
3. WKU - 51 points (1 first place vote)
4. Troy - 28 points
5. Florida Atlantic, South Alabama - 22 points

WEST

1. Denver - 68 points (8 first place votes)
2. Arkansas State - 57 points (4 first place votes)
3. UALR - 47 points
4. North Texas - 43 points
5. Louisiana-Lafayette - 24 points
6. Louisiana-Monroe - 13 points

PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM

Natalia Valentin, FIU
Izabela Kozon, Middle Tennessee
Cayla Fielder, Arkansas State
Jovana Bjelica, FIU
Stacy Oladinni, Middle Tennessee
Maria Szivos, Middle Tennessee
Tiffany Elmore, WKU
Kacie Wikierak, Denver

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year > Kacie Wikierak, Denver

Preseason Player of the Year > Natalia Valentin, FIU