NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana was picked to finish second in the Red River Athletic Conference 2025 women's volleyball preseason poll of the league's head coaches.
        The RRAC announced the poll Tuesday.
        XULA received 1-of-6 first-place votes and 29 points. Texas A&M-Texarkana is first with four first-place votes and 33 points. Our Lady of the Lake is third with one first-place vote and 27 points. Louisiana Christian is fourth, Jarvis Christian fifth and Texas College sixth.
        XULA's returning players from last season include:
        •  Taylor Parker, a 6-foot-2 junior middle blocker/right side who in 2024 set a XULA season record with 141 blocks and was the Gold Nuggets' first sophomore to earn NAIA All-America.
        •  Kamea Uitenham, a 5-8 sophomore outside hitter whose 363 kills set a XULA freshman record. Uitenham was freshman of the year at the conference, state and regional levels.
        •  Sydney Murray, a 5-10 senior outside hitter who in 2023 was second-team All-RRAC and second on the team with 253 kills and 38 aces. Murray missed 26-of-32 matches in 2024 because of an injury.
        •  Kennedy Campbell, a 6-foot sophomore middle blocker/right side who hit .239 with 185 kills.
        •  Kennedi Bell, a 6-1 senior middle blocker who hit .264 and was second on the team with 64 blocks.
        •  Laila Person, a 5-9 sophomore right side who had 99 kills and 20 aces.
        XULA will play its first eight matches in New Orleans: four at the Wolf Pack Welcome Aug. 22-23 at city rival Loyola, then four more Aug. 28-30 in the eighth Big Easy Blastoff at XULA's Convocation Center. This is the Gold Nuggets' 18th volleyball season.
        XULA last season was 17-15 overall, 13-3 (third place) in the RRAC regular season and an RRAC Tournament semifinalist.

RRAC women's volleyball 2025 coaches poll
1. Texas A&M-Texarkana . . . 33 points, four first-place votes
2. XULA . . . 29 points, one first-place vote
3. Our Lady of the Lake . . . 27 points, one first-place votes
4. Louisiana Christian . . . 19 points
5. Jarvis Christian . . . 13 points
6. Texas College . . . 6 points