Three-time defending conference champion and NCAA Division II National Runner-up Cal State San Bernardino was tabbed the coaches’ pick to capture the 2009 California Collegiate Athletic Association title, it was announced on Tuesday.
The Coyotes, winners of three straight CCAA titles and six overall since 2001, totaled 119 points and nine first-place votes. UC San Diego, which tied for second place a year ago, finished second in the poll after collecting 106 points and three first-place votes. Cal State L.A. and Sonoma State tied for third with 92 points and Chico State rounded out the top five after receiving 81 points. All five teams advanced to postseason play in 2008.
Cal Poly Pomona (72) was picked sixth and followed by San Francisco State (55), Humboldt State (47), Cal State Monterey Bay (38), Cal State East Bay (28), Cal State Stanislaus (23) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (21).
The upcoming season marks the first campaign that Cal State East Bay will compete in the CCAA. The Pioneers will not be eligible for the conference title until 2010.
Cal State San Bernardino is coming off its finest season in program history after recording a 30-4 overall record and advancing to its first-ever national championship final. The Coyotes fell in a hard-fought five-game set to Concordia-St. Paul.
Entering her 19th season at Cal State San Bernardino, head coach Kim Cherniss is faced with the challenge of replacing three All-Americans, including CCAA Player of the Year Jessica Granados.
The 2009 campaign is slated to begin Wednesday, August 26, when UC San Diego hosts Cal Baptist. CCAA play is scheduled to begin Wednesday, September 9, when Cal State East Bay entertains UC San Diego.
2009 CCAA Volleyball Coaches Poll
| No. | School (First Place Votes) |
Points | 2008 Record |
| 1. | Cal State San Bernardino (9) | 119 | 30-4, 17-3 |
| 2. | UC San Diego (3) | 106 | 21-7, 15-5 |
| 3. | Cal State L.A. | 92 | 21-8, 13-7 |
| Sonoma State | 92 | 23-7, 15-5 | |
| 5. | Chico State | 81 | 21-11, 13-7 |
| 6. | Cal Poly Pomona | 72 | 20-8, 15-5 |
| 7. | San Francisco State | 55 | 13-16, 6-14 |
| 8. | Humboldt State | 47 | 9-18, 7-13 |
| 9. | Cal State Monterey Bay | 38 | 8-23, 4-16 |
| 10. | Cal State East Bay | 28 | 29-5 |
| 11. | Cal State Stanislaus | 23 | 6-24, 3-17 |
| 12. | Cal State Dominguez Hills | 21 | 3-25, 2-18 |
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