The BYU men's volleyball team has the target painted plainly on its back going into the 2008 season.

While the Cougars edged out No. 2 Pepperdine by five overall votes to grab the top spot, the Waves actually earned nine first-place votes to BYU's four. UCLA was third with two first-place votes and just one overall vote behind Pepperdine.

In other words, just like most years, the NCAA championship is up for grabs.

BYU, which finished 23-5 and ranked No. 4 in the country in 2007, might have been a prohibitive favorite for the title but Cuban outside hitter Yosleyder Cala left the school to play professionally overseas. Even without Cala, the Cougars bring back a formidable group led by first team All-American senior outside hitter Ivan Perez, second team All-American senior middle blocker Russell Holmes and returning 2007 AVCA Newcomer of the Year setter Yamil Perez. BYU will go with one head coach this year in Shawn Patchell; co-head coach Ryan Millar has re-joined the USA Volleyball team in preparation for next summer's Olympics.

Pepperdine was 26-3 last year and returns AVCA Player of the Year setter Jonathan Winder, along with first team All-American outside hitter Paul Carroll.

Last year's NCAA champions, UC Irvine, was fifth in the preseason poll and received one first-place vote. The Anteaters were hit hard by graduation, losing

All-Americans David Smith (middle blocker), Matt Weber (opposite), Jayson Jablonsky (outside hitter) and Brian Thornton (setter).

BYU opens the 2008 season on Jan. 11 and 12 at UC San Diego. The Cougars play their first five matches on the road before returning to the Smith Fieldhouse on Jan. 25 and 26 to play NAIA power Cal-Baptist.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it