SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Samford Bulldogs and College of Charleston Cougars have been selected as the 2012 Southern Conference preseason favorites in balloting conducted by the league's head volleyball coaches. It is the third time in the last four seasons that Samford has been tabbed as the preseason North favorite and fourth time in the last five seasons that College of Charleston has been picked first in the South.

The Bulldogs, 2011 SoCon tournament champions, received 10 first-place votes for 65 total points and were picked to finish first in the North Division. College of Charleston, who fell to Samford in the 2011 SoCon tournament, received 59 total points (six first-place votes) and was selected to finish first in the South Division.

Appalachian State received two first-place votes (48 points) and was picked to finish second in the North, followed by Elon (41 points) who was last season's preseason favorite. UNCG was voted to finish fourth in the North (38 points), with Chattanooga and Western Carolina tying for fifth-place (27 points).

Furman received three-first place votes (57 points) and was picked to finish second in the South, followed by last season's preseason South favorite, Georgia Southern (three first-place votes; 52 points). The South Division was rounded out by Davidson, picked to finish fourth (36 points), Wofford (26 points) and The Citadel (16 points).

The coaches also voted on the 2012 Preseason All-Conference Team. Samford led all schools with three selections, including the 2011 SoCon Player of the Year Elizabeth Neisler. She was joined by her teammates Laruen Hutchinson (2011 First Team All-Conference) and Katie Murphy (2011 Second Team All-Conference).

Furman was second in selections with two, as 2011 Second Team All-Conference selections Natalie Braun and Caroline Adams were chosen. The 2011 Freshman of the Year Sloane White was the lone selection from College of Charleston, while Kate Van Dyke (Georgia Southern) nabbed her second-straight preseason all-conference honor. Davidson's Caroline Brown, a 2011 Second Team All-Conference selection, rounded out the 2012 Preseason All-Conference Team.

All 12 SoCon teams will take the court August 24-25 in non-conference tournaments. The conference season kicks off September 20, 2012.

2012 Preseason Coaches' Poll

School (First-Place Votes)                    Total Points

North

1.         Samford (10)                             65

2.         Appalachian State (2)                48

3.         Elon                                         41

4.         UNCG                                       38

5.         Chattanooga                             27

            Western Carolina                       27

South

1.         College of Charleston (6)           59

2.         Furman (3)                                57

3.         Georgia Southern (3)                 52

4.         Davidson                                  36

5.         Wofford                                                26

6.         The Citadel                                16

2012 Preseason All-Conference Team

Name                           School                         Position

Elizabeth Neisler            Samford                       OH

Lauren Hutchinson         Samford                       MB

Kate Van Dyke              Georgia Southern          S

Sloane White                 CofC                            MB/RS

Natalie Braun                 Furman                         OH

Katie Murphy                 Samford                       MB

Caroline Brown              Davidson                      OH

Caroline Adams             Furman                         MB