University of Arkansas at Little Rock volleyball was picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division in the 2018 Preseason Poll. 

The Trojans tallied 27 points in the poll – five points behind fourth-place UT Arlington and 13 points ahead of sixth-place ULM. Texas State was picked to win the division with 70 points and 10 first-place votes. Arkansas State took second with 58 points and one first-place vote while Louisiana came in third with 51 points and one first-place vote.

Over in the East Division, Coastal Carolina was tabbed as the favorite with 67 points and eight first-place votes. Trailing by just four points was South Alabama as they accumulated 63 points and four first-place points. Appalachian State took third with 44 points while Troy was fourth with 37 points. Georgia State and Georgia Southern rounded out the division with 22 and 19 points, respectively.

Arkansas State’s Carlisa May was picked as the league’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Texas State’s Micah Dinwiddie was tabbed as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. A-State’s Ellie Watkins was named the Preseason Setter of the Year.

Little Rock will open the season against Division I newcomer North Alabama at the Jacksonville State Invitational in Jacksonville, Alabama, on Aug. 24. The Trojans returned seven players from last year’s team while they added three junior college transfers and two freshmen.