RICHARDSON -- The University of Texas at Tyler volleyball has been tabbed to finish third in the American Southwest Conference's East Division, it was announced by the league office after a vote of each division’s head coaches and sports information directors.

The Patriots, who finished last season with a 16-17 (8-9 ASC) mark, will be under the direction of first-year head coach Suzanne Truitt.

The top three teams in each division advance to the conference tournament which is set for Nov. 3-5 at the site of the East Division's top seed. 

Six-time defending ASC East division champion Texas-Dallas, which finished 16-1 in the ASC last year, were picked to repeat again as East Division champions with 95 points, receiving 11 out of 14 first place votes. 

East Texas Baptist (11-19, 9-8) was picked to finish second with 77 points receiving two first place votes.  UT Tyler received one first place vote and was picked to finish third with 67 points. ASC newcomer Centenary (49 points) was picked to finished fourth.  Mississippi College (45 points) was picked fifth, followed by Mary Hardin Baylor (31 points) and LeTourneau (28 points).