The UAA volleyball team, coming off consecutive 21-win seasons and owner of five NCAA tournament berths in the last six seasons, has been picked by Great Northwest Athletic Conference coaches to win the league.
The Seawolves earned five of 11 first-place votes and 92 points to lead the preseason poll, which was tightly bunched at the top.
Northwest Nazarene, last season's league champion, picked up three first-place votes and 85 points to rank second in the poll. Central Washington received two first-place votes and Western Washington received one, and each school received 84 points to tie for third.
UAF is picked to finish last in the 11-team league.
Coaches could not vote for their own team.
Under coach Chris Green, who is entering his eighth season, the Seawolves have gone 132-66 and finished second in the league each of the last two seasons.
UAA returns four starters among its six letter-winners, including senior bombers Julia Mackey and Katelynn Zanders, both honorable-mention All-Americans last season. Also back are junior setter Morgan Hooe and junior middle blocker Erin Braun.
The Seawolves under Green have delivered seven straight winning seasons.
The Seawolves on Saturday play their annual Alumni match at 7 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center. Admission is free.
UAA opens the regular season Sept. 3-5 in its annual SpringHill Suites Invitational at the Alaska Airlines Center.