SACRAMENTO -- In its first-ever appearance in the Big West preseason coaches poll, Sacramento State was selected fifth out of 12 teams. In addition, reigning All-American Victoria Marthaler was named to the preseason all-Big West team.

After 30 years in the Big Sky (1996-25), the Hornets will begin their first season in the Big West. Sacramento State is coming off a season in which it finished 20-10 overall and 12-4 in the Big Sky (second place). The Hornets have won at least 20 overall matches three straight seasons.

Sacramento State is equipped with 10 returners and four starters from last year's squad. That includes starters at outside hitter (Victoria Marthaler, Keonahi'ilani Solaita), middle blocker (Skyler Gartin) and libero (Reese Ampi). Marthaler was Big Sky MVP, Solaita was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year, and Ampi the Big Sky Libero of the Year. Both Marthaler and Ampi will serve as this year's team captains.

Speaking of Marthaler, she becomes the Hornets' first-ever Big West preseason all-league choice. The junior from Albuquerque is one of seven players in the conference selected to the team. Last season, the six-rotation outside hitter was honorable mention All-America, Big Sky MVP and Big Sky all-tournament after finishing sixth in the nation with 4.89 kills per set - third in program history and most by a Hornet in 20 years.

Cal Poly finished with 121 points in the poll and was a unanimous choice to win the Big West. The Mustangs were followed by Long Beach State (109), UC Santa Barbara (99), Utah Valley (84), Sacramento State (80), CSUN (64), UC Irvine (64), UC San Diego (60), California Baptist (35), UC Riverside (34), Cal State Fullerton (24) and Cal State Bakersfield (18).

Last season, UC Davis won the regular season crown while Cal Poly won the tournament title. Cal Poly eventually reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. UC Davis is no longer in the Big West, as the Aggies moved to the Mountain West Conference. Also no longer in the Big West is Hawaii, which also headed to the Mountain West.

This year's Big West Championship will take place in San Luis Obispo on Cal Poly's home floor (Nov. 25-28). The top six teams in the 12-member league qualify for the postseason event, with the winner receiving an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Sacramento State opens the season in just seven days as the Hornets travel to Malibu for a three-day tourney (Aug. 28-30). The Hornets open with South Dakota State next Friday at 3 p.m.

Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank - Institution Points
1. Cal Poly - 121 (11)
2. Long Beach State - 109
3. UC Santa Barbara - 99
4. Utah Valley - 84 (1)
5. Sacramento State - 80
T-6. - CSUN - 64
T-6 - UC Irvine - 64
8. - UC San Diego 60
9. - California Baptist 35
10. - UC Riverside 34
11. - Cal State Fullerton 24
12. - Cal State Bakersfield 18