NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference Offices announced the 2024 coaches preseason poll where the Bobcats were unanimously picked 1^st in the West Division with 98 points.
 
Additionally, Jade Defraeye was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-Conference team. The Bobcats had four players named to the list, including Defraeye, Alyssa Ortega, Ryann Torres and Samantha Wunsch. Texas State had the most players of any team in the Sun Belt named to the Preseason All-Conference team.
 
The Bobcats are coming off a 20-10 season in which they finished first in the West Division, going 12-4 in conference play. The Bobcats made an appearance in the Sun Belt Conference semi-final, losing 3-2 to James Madison but earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament for the first time. The Bobcats return nearly every member of the 2023 team while bolstering itself with a group of incoming freshman and Louisville transfer Nina Moorer.
 
In the East Division, James Madison was ranked first with 90 points, followed closely by reigning conference and regular season champions Coastal Carolina with 88. In the West Division, Troy was selected 2^nd after the Bobcats with 80 points.
 
The Bobcats will prepare to open the 2024 season with an exhibition against Lamar on Saturday, August 24, at 3 pm. 
 
Texas State will then open the season on the road at a tournament at Rice, opening against Houston Christian on Aug. 30th.
 
2024 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
East Division

1. James Madison – 90 (8)
2. Coastal Carolina – 88 (6)
3. Georgia Southern – 74
4. Old Dominion – 48 
5. App State – 45 
6. Marshall – 31 
7. Georgia State – 16  

West Division

1. Texas State – 98 (14)
2. Troy – 80
3. South Alabama – 71
4. Louisiana – 57 
5. Southern Miss – 37 
6. Arkansas State – 35 
7. ULM – 14