Anteaters picked to finish 6th

The UC Irvine women’s volleyball team was picked to finish sixth in the eight-team Big West Conference in the conference coaches’ preseason poll.

Coach Charlie Brande’s Anteaters, who were 10-20 last season, 3-11 in the Big West, are picked to finish behind, in order: Long Beach State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Santa Barbara, University of the Pacific and Cal State Fullerton.

Cal State Northridge was picked to finish seventh and UC Riverside was picked to finish eighth.

The Anteaters, who return four starters, led by senior middle blocker Trisha White, sophomore outside hitter Lauren Kellerman, and sophomore libero Devon Sutherland, begin the season in the Oregon Tournament, Aug. 25-26.

The 6-foot-1 Kellerman was second on the team with 309 kills on her way to Big West All-Freshman honors last season.

UCI’s home opener is Aug. 31 against San Diego.