The Long Beach State women’s volleyball program has won two consecutive Big West Conference titles and holds the conference record with ten all-time.

Opposing coaches are not going to bet against them.

Yesterday, the 49ers were picked to finish first in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll, which counts votes from all women’s volleyball coaches in the conference. Long Beach State received seven out of nine first-place votes. UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara each received one first-place vote and were selected to finish second and third, respectively.

Five starters return from the Long Beach State team that finished 22-9 last season, earning its 23rd consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 49ers graduated 6-foot-0 middle blocker and All-American 6-foot-4 hitter Naomi Washington, but add four promising freshmen and return All-Big West honorees Ashley Lee and Caitlin Ledoux.

Of course, a familiar face will prowl the sidelines again as Brian Gimmillaro will enter his 26th year at Long Beach State this season. Having amassed an astounding .806 winning percentage in his quarter-century in black and gold, Gimmillaro continues his quest to add a fourth National Championship to his resume (previous titles in 1989, 1993 and 1998).

The 49ers’ season will begin when they host Rutgers (1:30pm) and UNLV (7:00pm) on August 27 as part of the Long Beach State Baden Classic.