By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
The USF volleyball team was predicted to finish near the middle of the pack in the conference, while star sophomore Valerie El Houssine picked up a nice preseason honor Friday afternoon.
The Bulls landed in the ninth spot out of 14 teams in the 2012 Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll after receiving 75 points. Louisville claimed the top spot with 168 points and 12 first-place votes after winning the Big East regular season title in 2011. Votes were cast by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
El Houssine, an outside hitter, was named to the All-Big East second team as a freshman after ranking second the Big East in service aces per set (0.44) in conference play, second in kills per set (4.26), second in points per set (4.95) and 21st nationally in aces per set (0.45).
USF finished the 2011 season with a 12-16 record, including a 7-7 showing in Big East play. Find out how the Bulls fare at home in 2012 by purchasing season tickets HERE.
Here is a look at the complete Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll:
| School | Points | 2011 BIG EAST | 2011 Overall | 2011 Finish | |
| 1. Louisville (12) | 168 | 13-1 | 24-9 | 1st | |
| 2. Marquette (1) | 150 | 12-2 | 24-11 | 3rd | |
| 3. Notre Dame | 140 | 8-6 | 17-13 | T-4th | |
| 4. Cincinnati (1) | 139 | 12-2 | 27-10 | T-2nd | |
| 5. Syracuse | 112 | 8-6 | 19-12 | T-4th | |
| 6. Pittsburgh | 96 | 7-7 | 18-15 | T-8th | |
| 7. Seton Hall | 88 | 8-6 | 17-13 | T-4th | |
| 8. Villanova | 83 | 8-6 | 17-13 | T-4th | |
| 9. USF | 75 | 7-7 | 12-16 | T-8th | |
| 10. Connecticut | 72 | 4-10 | 14-15 | 12th | |
| 11. Georgetown | 60 | 6-8 | 14-13 | 10th | |
| 12. St. John's | 33 | 1-13 | 10-21 | 15th | |
| 13. DePaul | 31 | 3-11 | 7-22 | T-13th | |
| 14. Rutgers | 27 | 3-11 | 10-21 | T-13th | |
