Briefs: UCI picked fourth in MPSF

The UC Irvine men’s volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation preseason coaches’ poll.

The Anteaters earned 79 points, trailing BYU (119), UCLA (113) and Long Beach State (103).

BYU received nine first-place votes, while UCLA earned three.

UCI was 10-20, 7-15 in conference last season, when it lost in the quarterfinals of the MPSF Tournament to top-seeded BYU.

The Anteaters open their season Dec. 29 at Concordia and begin MPSF play against visiting UC San Diego on Jan. 5.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports

Hershko lauded

UC Irvine senior Tamir Hershko has been named preseason All-American by Off the Block, a website focusing on volleyball.

Hershko, who was a first-team AVCA All-American as a sophomore in 2015, is a two-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation performer who played just 41 sets last season due to injury.

The 6-foot-6 opposite, a native of Israel, led UCI with 3.71 kills and 4.02 points per set last season.

UCI senior Michael Saeta and incoming freshman Scott Stadick received votes on two or more ballots completed by a nationwide voting committee.

UCI opens its season Dec. 29 at Concordia University.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports