Big 12 Conference coaches picked Kansas University volleyball to finish third in the league’s preseason poll, released Wednesday.

The Jayhawks earned 51 points in the poll, behind Iowa State (55) and defending national champion Texas (64).

“The preseason poll definitely has some relevance to build interest and it’s a necessary process, obviously,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “There’s no question it’s a tough league when the national champion is at the top of the poll. I’m much more interested in what happens in late November versus peoples’ opinions in early August, but it is nice to see us raising the bar for ourselves. Now we have to get to work.”

Kansas begins its season with the annual Crimson and Blue Match at 1 p.m. on Aug. 24 at Horejsi Center and opens against Central Arkansas on Aug. 30 in Tucson, Ariz.