Kansas University’s volleyball team was voted to finish fifth in the 2005 Big 12 Conference standings by the league’s head coaches, conference officials announced today in Dallas.

Senior middle blocker Josi Lima (Sao Paulo, Brazil) was also named a Preseason All-Big 12 Team selection for the third straight season.

Lima, a three-time All-Big 12 First-Team selection, led KU with 3.64 kills and added 2.49 digs and 1.01 blocks per game in 2005. Lima was also an AVCA First-Team All-Region selection in 2003 and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2002.

“With a conference as competitive as the Big 12 from the No. 1 to No. 11 team, how you finish the year is much more important than how you are predicted to in the postseason,” said head coach Ray Bechard. “We are excited that Josi has the opportunity to be All-Big 12 four seasons in a row and hope that she and we as a team have another great season.”

KU is coming off back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament Second Round and two of its best seasons in program history. The Jayhawks, who finished tied for sixth in the league in 2004 and a program-best tied for third in 2003, return five starters in 2005.

KU opens it regular season at home on Aug. 26 against Alabama in the State Farm Jayhawk Invitational.

The poll rankings were as follows:

1. Nebraska, 100 points

2. Missouri, 88

3 Texas, 77

4. Texas A & M, 72

5. Kansas, 68

6. Kansas State, 56

7. Tie -Baylor and Colorado, both 43.

9. Oklahoma, 24

10. Texas Tech, 21

11. Iowa State, 13

Note: Ten points were awarded for first-place votes, nine for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team

Preseason Team All-Big 12 Team

Desiree Guilliard-Young, Baylor

Allie Griffin, Colorado

Ashley Nu’u Colorado

Josi Lima, Kansas

Lindsey Hunter, Missouri

Jessica Vander Kooi, Missouri

Melissa Elmer, Nebraska

Sarah Pavan, Nebraska

Jennifer Saleaumua, Nebraska

Joanna Schmitt, Oklahoma

Brandy Magee, Texas

Michelle Moriarty, Texas

Laura Jones, Texas A&M

Note: Twelve players are named to the preseason all-conference team —

a tie occurred in voting to result in 13 members this season.