SAN ANTONIO, Texas (July 20) – Central Oklahoma's Zuela Adom has been selected the Lone Star Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and the Bronchos were picked for a fourth-place finish in the volleyball poll, it was announced during the league's annual Media Day Banquet here Tuesday.
Defending champion West Texas A&M, last year's NCAA Division II runner-up, topped the poll with 27 first-place votes and 584 points in balloting of head coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Abilene Christian was second in the voting with the remaining 13 first-place nods and 567 points, followed by Angelo State (487), UCO (424), Texas A&M-Commerce (343), Incarnate Word (342), Midwestern State (336), Texas Woman's (321), Southeastern Oklahoma (320), Texas A&M-Kingsville (295), Cameron (242), Tarleton State (221), East Central (145), Southwestern Oklahoma (99) and Eastern New Mexico (74).
Adom, a senior outside hitter from Euless, Texas, was a first-team All-LSC selection last year after collecting 382 kills, 205 digs and 78 total blocks. She's one of five returning starters the Bronchos have back from last year's 16-16 team that finished fifth in the league, including fellow outside hitter and first-team All-LSC pick Kristen Wilson.
UCO opens the season at the Lady Buff Classic in Canyon, Texas on Sept. 3-4.