FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has been picked to finish ninth in the Southeastern Conference by the league's volleyball coaches.
The Razorbacks are coming off a season in which they finished 11-17 overall and 5-13 in conference play. Their five victories in conference play were the fewer under fourth-season head coach Jason Watson.
Arkansas finished 11th out of 13 teams in the SEC last season. Vanderbilt does not sponsor a volleyball team.
Reigning SEC champion Kentucky received 11 of 13 first-place votes this year and is predicted to win the conference again. Florida received two first-place votes and is picked to finish second.
Coaches can not vote for their own teams, and ballots are not made public.
Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State were picked to finish below Arkansas, which returns its two lead scorers from last season - junior outside hitter Hailey Dirrigl and junior middle blocker Elizabeth Pamphile. Senior setter Rachel Rippee, who played all but four sets last season, also returns.
The 2019 SEC volleyball season will begin on Aug. 30, and SEC play will start on Sept. 24. Arkansas has not released its schedule.