BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Despite opting out of the Spring 2021 season due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Alabama A&M women's volleyball has been picked as the top team in the league as the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) released its Fall 2021 Preseason Poll.
 
During the 2019 season the Bulldogs went 20-15 overall and were a dominant 15-4 against SWAC competition, earning them a second straight regular season championship. That performance helped fueled a first place selection in this year's preseason poll (208 Points/Eight First Place Votes) as they beat out 2019 tournament champion Alabama State (204/1) and 2020-21 champion Jackson State (197/7). Prairie View gained 165 points with one first place vote and Bethune-Cookman (137/1) rounded out the top five.
 
The back half of the poll consists of Florida A&M (133), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (125), Alcorn (122), Grambling (120), Southern (110/2), Texas Southern (69), and Mississippi Valley (48).
 
A&M will enter the season with 20 players 15 of which are new to The Hill and returns five from their last Championship team. That group includes a pair of individuals in senior defensive specialist Maci Battle (Meridianville, Ala.) and right side hitter Alana Cox (Madison, Ala.), both of whom played key roles in the Bulldogs trip to the 2019 SWAC semifinals.
 
Alabama A&M will have those expectations challenged right away as they open the season against Pac-12 Conference member California on Friday, August 27 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
 
2021 SWAC WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
Alabama A&M 208 (8)
Alabama State 204 (1)
Jackson State 197 (7)
Prairie View A&M 165 (1)
Bethune-Cookman 137 (1)
Florida A&M 133
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 125
Alcorn 122
Grambling 120
Southern 110 (2)
Texas Southern 69
Mississippi Valley State 48