Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has been picked to win the 2011 RMAC regular season volleyball title. 

The preseason coaches poll, and team, was released on Tuesday, August 16th. Head coaches vote on the makeup of the poll and team.

UNK and long-time rival Metro State are the favorites by far as the Lopers tallied 19 points and eight of the 14 first place votes while the Roadrunners netted 20 points and the six other first place nods.

Colorado School of Mines (45) and Colorado Mesa (58) were picked third and fourth, respectively.

The Lopers have won a share of the RMAC regular season title the past seven years. During this stretch, UNK won the title outright five times (2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004).

Individually, sophomore middle Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) was tabbed preseason All-RMAC. One of the league's top freshmen in 2010, she led the RMAC in attack percentage (.364) while ranking fthird on the team in kills (2.85) and second in blocks (0.72). 

Metro has the Preseason Player (senior outside Bri Morley) and Preseason Defensive Player (senior libero Ngoc Phan) of the year. Finally, Colorado Christian senior Lauren Rosenthal is the Preseason Setter of the Year.

UNK opens the regular season Friday, September 2nd, at UNO's tournament.