UPDATE:    The Pioneer netters received 37 votes in the NAIA Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll, released late Tuesday afternoon. It is the first time since 1996 that a WBU volleyball team has received national votes.

The Sooner Athletic Conference Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll isn't shocking - Lubbock Christian is ranked No. 1, while the Wayland Baptist Pioneers were rewarded for their best season in almost a decade by being chosen second.

Pioneer coach Jim Giacomazzi says that it is an honor to be recognized for all the hard work his team has put in over the past two seasons.

"We're excited. Just three years ago, we were at the bottom looking up. We have a great group of girls who have really worked hard to get to this position. They have shown an amazing amount of individual discipline. Now we just have to keep working hard to maintain the respect the other coaches in the conference have shown us."

The poll, which closely resembles last year's final standings, reflects the Lady Chaps as the clear-cut conference favorite, collecting seven first place votes and getting the maximum 49 points.

Lubbock Christian reached the NAIA Quarterfinals last season, ending the season with a 36-6 overall record.

WBU, which went 26-8, earned 40 points and claimed the remaining first-place vote.

The Pioneer volleyball team, which lost just one starter off last year's record-breaking squad, kicks off its 2009 season in Point Lookout, Mo. at the College of the Ozarks Classic on Sept. 3 and 4.

The remainder of the poll includes Oklahoma City in third with 37 points, coming off a 33-8 year in 2008. The Stars were followed by John Brown with 34. The Golden Eagles had a 21-11 season last year and ended the conference schedule in a three-way tie for second with OCU and WBU at 10-4.

Oklahoma Baptist is ranked fifth with 25 points, followed by Southern Nazarene with 19, Mid-America Christian with 13 and St. Gregory's with seven.

Coaches were not permitted to rank their own team.