Nittany Lions picked to win Big Ten

UNIVERSITY PARK — Defending national champion Penn State has been voted as the preseason women's volleyball favorite for the fourth consecutive year by Big Ten coaches.

In addition, a conference-leading five Nittany Lions earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors from the coaches with outside hittersNicole Fawcett andMegan Hodge,middle hittersChrista Harmotto andArielle Wilsonand setter Alisha Glass.Fawcett and Hodge were unanimous selections. It is the third preseason honor for Fawcett and Harmotto, the second for Hodge and the first for Glass and Wilson.

The five-time defending conference champions command the preseason poll for the fifth time since 2001. Minnesota was picked second in the poll and Wisconsin was slated third,

The Nittany Lions open their season at the Hawaiian Airlines Classic on Aug. 29-31, taking on the host Wahine, UCLA and Ohio in Honolulu.