After ranking as high as No. 17 in the NAIA in 2008, the Campbellsville University volleyball team will open 2009 at No. 25, according to the preseason NAIA coaches poll released last week. 

CU is one of two Mid-South Conference teams in the Top 25, as Georgetown is ranked seventh. Two-time defending national champion Fresno Pacific University in California received all 20 first-place votes to take the top preseason ranking, while other California schools Concordia University, California Baptist and Azusa Pacific are No. 2-4. Northwestern College opens the year at No. 5, followed by Columbia College at No. 6. Point Loma Nazarene, Morningside College and Vanguard University round out the Top 10.

Campbellsville head coach Randy LeBleu is thankful for the ranking and said he expects his team to challenge for the MSC championship, despite losing some top players.

"We're excited that other coaches in the country still recognize us as one of the elite programs. It is something we have worked hard to put together over the past 10 years," LeBleu said. "Losing a Second Team All-American (Teresa Masava) and two other First Team All-Conference performers (Brittney McKee and Tindi Munyasia) isn't easy to replace, but we believe we have brought in some good talent and the returning players have improved." 

The first regular season volleyball poll will be released Sept. 8.

CU opens the season at the Malone College Tournament in Canton, Ohio. The first home match is Monday, Sept. 14 when the Lady Tigers host Cumberland University in the Powell Athletic Center at 7 p.m.

Click here for the complete preseason poll.