NEW ORLEANS –– Appalachian State University volleyball was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference's East Division, announced by the league office on Monday. 

With the addition of Coastal Carolina to the league, the conference has split into two divisions: East and West. Overall, the Mountaineers earned the fourth-most points in the coaches poll.

“With divisional play, it will be interesting to see how the regular season pans out across the conference,” said head coach Matt Ginipro. “We're excited to get the season started on Friday.”

Coastal Carolina edged Appalachian in the East Division with 70 points, while the Apps topped South Alabama (40 points), Georgia Southern (31 points), Troy (30 points) and Georgia State (24 points). 

Defending conference champion Arkansas State earned the most overall points (72) and was picked to win the West Division. Behind the Red Wolves was Texas State (58 points), UT Arlington (45 points), Little Rock (39 points), UL Lafayette (24 points) and UL Monroe (14 points).

The Black and Gold's returning Sun Belt first-team selection Ashton Gregory, was selected to the preseason all-conference team. Last season, Gregory finished third on the team with 312 kills and 3.15 kills per set (eighth in the league). She also led the squad with a .354 hitting percentage – good for second in the conference. The former Southern Conference Player of the Year totaled double-digit kills in 18 matches last season, including a season-high 20 against Iowa State.

“Congrats to Ashton for being named preseason all-conference,” said Ginipro. “I don't think there's a doubt that her performance last year earned her a spot on this list of talented players.”

2016 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)