The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men’s soccer team has been picked to finish sixth in the American Southwest Conference in the league’s annual Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Cru totaled 273 points in balloting of the league’s coaches and sports information directors. U.T.-Dallas took 13 of the 28 first-place votes and totaled 361 points as the coach’s choice to win the ASC championship. U.T.-Tyler is picked second with nine first-place votes and 345 total points, University of the Ozarks grabbed three first-place votes and 332 total points for third place, Mississippi College received two first-place votes and 328 totals points for fourth place and Hardin-Simmons University is picked fifth, two points ahead of the Cru with one first-place vote and 275 total points.

Texas Lutheran University is the pick for seventh place with 187 points, East Texas Baptist picked up 175 total points for eighth, Schreiner University is picked ninth with 146 total points, LeTourneau University is tenth with 141 points, McMurry University is picked 11th with 131 points, Howard Payne University is 12th with 113 points, Concordia Texas totaled 74 points for 13th place and Louisiana College is picked 14th with 59 total points.

U.T.-Dallas senior forward Kevin White was the coaches pick for ASC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors. University of the Ozarks goalkeeper Brian Sarber was the choice for ASC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Cru finished 11-7-1 overall and 10-2-1 in ASC play last season and advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament in back-to-back years for the first time the program’s history.

Head coach Brad Bankhead welcomes back 16 letter winners and five starters this season.

The UMHB men will open the 2008 season with a pair of road games in Georgetown this weekend.

The Cru will take on Trinity University in a 5:00 PM start on Friday before facing Southwestern University for a 3:00 PM start on Saturday.

UMHB volleyball picked third in preseason poll: Maenius voted preseason defensive player of the year

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team has been picked to finish third in the American Southwest Conference’s East Division in the league’s annual Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Cru totaled 45 points in balloting of East Division coaches and sports information directors. Defending ASC East Division champion U.T.-Dallas is picked to repeat as East Division champs.

The Comets totaled 66 points in the poll to finish one point ahead of second-place ETBU’s 65 total points. U.T.-Dallas picked up seven first-place votes with ETBU receiving the other five. Mississippi College is picked to finish in fourth place after coming in one point behind UMHB with 44 total points.

U.T.-Tyler is picked to finish fifth with 26 total points and LeTourneau University is picked sixth with 17 total points. Defending ASC champion Texas Lutheran University was picked to win the West Division with nine first-place votes and 91 total points.

The ASC preseason polls are selected in balloting of division head coaches and Sports Information Directors.

UMHB libero Erin Maenius was voted ASC East Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Maenius, a sophomore from San Antonio MacArthur High School, averaged 4.95 digs per game last season and added eight service aces.

She was a Second Team All-East Division selection last year. ETBU outside hitter Katie Graves was voted East Division Offensive Player of the Year. Hardin-Simmons middle blocker Kaela Parnell and Concordia Texas outside hitter Sara Keithley took West Division Offensive and Defensive Preseason Player of the Year honors respectively.

The Cru finished 13-19 overall and 7-10 in ASC East Division play last year and advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament for the second straight year, a first for the program.

Head coach Kecia Davis returns three letter winners and two starters for this season. UMHB will open the 2008 season with a trip to the U.T.-Dallas Tournament this weekend.

The Cru will play four games in two days during that tournament, opening with ASC rival Hardin-Simmons University on Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM.