Aug. 9, 2004
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Santa Clara University volleyball team will open the 2004 season ranked 22nd in the USA Today/CSTV Top 25 Coaches Preseason Poll, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced today. "I think being ranked despite the loss of last year's senior class shows that our program has achieved a great deal of respect," said head coach Jon Wallace, enters his sixth season and has led SCU to five straight NCAA Championship appearances. "Becky Potter, Kelli Sousa and Becky Biniek were very successful in their careers here and, without a doubt, we will miss their leadership. However, we have a very talented and accomplished group coming back and a freshman class that can make an immediate impact. So, I'm really encouraged with our ranking and looking forward to getting started." Santa Clara posted 20 wins last season and made its fifth straight NCAA postseason appearance. The Broncos finished the league season in second place last year, and were also ranked, peaking at No. 12. All-WCC performers Toni Muratore and Cassie Perret join Jac Heler to form the nucleus of veterans this season to lead the youthful Broncos. SCU's incoming group of freshmen ranked among the top-10 recruiting classes in the country. Three West Coast Conference teams appeared in the poll, which is produced by the AVCA and determined by a committee of college coaches from around the country. Pepperdine ranked ninth in the poll, while Loyola Marymount appears in the poll in the 18th position. "Having three teams earn a preseason ranking and a fourth with a significant number of votes tells a lot about the strength of our league," said Wallace, who's Broncos were picked by the league coaches to finish second in the WCC. "Our conference is rapidly improving and that shows in the respect we've earned in the polls." The Broncos play three-straight matches at the Leavey Center to open the season beginning with its opener on September 1 against Sacramento State. Santa Clara then hosts Arkansas and Pacific in the Bronco Invitational, presented by Marriott, then travels to Honolulu Hawai'i to face UCLA, Hawai'i and Southwest Missouri State in the Aston Imua Challenge. Season tickets and affordable family plans are on sale by clicking here or by calling 408/554-4660.
| Rank | School | Total Pts | 2003 Record | 2003 Final Rank |
| 1 | USC (56) | 1,596 | 35-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Nebraska (5) | 1,417 | 28-5 | 13 |
| 3 | UCLA | 1,386 | 24-9 | 5 |
| 4 | Florida | 1,360 | 36-2 | 2 |
| 5 | Minnesota (1) | 1,318 | 26-11 | 4 |
| 6 | Stanford (2) | 1,230 | 25-7 | 10 |
| 7 | Washington | 1,170 | 23-9 | 9 |
| 8 | Penn State | 1,160 | 31-5 | 7 |
| 9 | Pepperdine | 1,091 | 27-3 | 6 |
| 10 | California (1) | 1,082 | 25-7 | 12 |
| 11 | Colorado State | 997 | 30-5 | 14 |
| 12 | Georgia Tech | 931 | 34-4 | 8 |
| 13 | Hawai'i | 718 | 36-2 | 3 |
| 14 | Kansas State | 658 | 30-5 | 11 |
| 15 | Texas A&M | 552 | 23-10 | 16 |
| 16 | UC Santa Barbara | 546 | 19-9 | 22 |
| 17 | Arizona | 500 | 17-15 | NR |
| 18 | Loyola Marymount | 438 | 26-7 | 17 |
| 19 | Illinois | 426 | 26-7 | 15 |
| 20 | Louisville | 304 | 25-6 | 20 |
| 21 | Northern Iowa | 272 | 28-6 | 18 |
| 22 | Santa Clara | 271 | 20-11 | 19 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 260 | 22-11 | 21 |
| 24 | Utah | 161 | 22-9 | 23 |
| 25 | Notre Dame | 136 | 23-7 | 24 |
